A man from the Shropshire border was arrested today on suspicion of murdering a mother-of-four who died after a house fire almost six years ago.The 41-year-old was arrested at his home in Loggerheads this morning by officers investigating the death of Anita Stead.

Mrs Stead, 39, died from smoke inhalation following a fire at her home in Slindon Close, Waterhayes, Newcastle-under-Lyme, on May 27, 2002.

The Loggerheads house where the man was arrested was being searched today, as were two others in Ashley, Staffordshire, and the Wolstanton area of Newcastle-under-Lyme.

A team of officers from Staffordshire Police’s major investigations department has spent the past 12 months examining the circumstances surrounding Mrs Stead’s death.

A Staffordshire Police spokeswoman said today: “Mrs Stead’s death was initially investigated by detectives from Staffordshire Police and a report was prepared for the coroner.

“Following discussions with the coroner, further inquiries have been carried out during the last year by officers from the force’s major investigations department at Water Street, Newcastle-under-Lyme.”

Detective Chief Inspector Phil Lee, who is leading the investigation, said: “We opened a dedicated incident room in February 2007.

“A team of officers have spent the last 12 months looking in detail at all of the circumstances surrounding Mrs Stead’s tragic death.

“We have liaised closely throughout the course of the investigation with Mrs Stead’s family, and they and several other people who have given their support to the inquiry have been updated about this morning’s development.”

Mr Lee issued a fresh appeal for anyone with any information about the fire to get in touch.

“We are still keen to hear from anyone with information about the fire, or which they think would be of interest to the inquiry,” he said.

The arrested man has been taken to Staffordshire Police’s custody centre in Etruria, Stoke-on-Trent, for questioning.

Anyone with information about Mrs Stead’s death is asked to call the police incident room on (01785) 232800.