Arrest made over 1990 Telford shed blaze death

A man was today arrested on suspicion of the murder of a 19-year-old man whose charred body was found in a shed in Telford nearly 20 years ago.

Liam Wright, who lived in Brookside, Telford, died in a mysterious shed fire next to Madeley Ski Slope on September 10, 1990. Detectives reopened the case in recent weeks.

They revealed today they had arrested a man in his late 30s on suspicion of murder in Telford this morning.

He was being quizzed at a West Mercia force police station.

Mr Wright's death sparked a huge police investigation but no arrests were ever made. An inquest held the following year recorded an open verdict leaving his family without any answers about his death.

A recent review of the case has resulted in fresh information coming to the attention of the police and that has prompted the reopening of the investigation into the teenager's unexplained death.

Detective Inspector Paul Knight, from West Mercia Police's Major Incident Unit in Stourport, said: "The investigation into any suspicious death is never closed and even given the passage of time we will continue to examine the events of the night Liam died and endeavour to search for the truth about what happened.

"Liam's death had a significant effect on his family and the local community and reopening this investigation and following up on this new information is a demonstration of our commitment to finally establishing the exact circumstances surrounding his death.

Mr Knight added: "I would therefore appeal for anyone with new information about the case to come forward and share that with us as soon as is possible.

"Please call West Mercia Police on 0300 333 3000 to pass on any information you have or alternatively, please remember that Crimestoppers can also be called anonymously on 0800 555 111 if you'd prefer to pass on information without identifying yourself."

Two and a half years after Mr Wright's death police said they believed he was chased into the shed by a gang of thugs before the hut was set on fire.

At the time of the development, Mr Wright's mother Mrs Faith Wright, of Ketley Grange, Telford, said she was keeping an open mind.

By Crime Correspondent Kirsty Smallman