Boy charged with arson and manslaughter of elderly couple who died in house fire

A teenager has been charged with arson and the manslaughter of an elderly couple who died in a fire at their home.

Police officers and firefighters attended the blaze in Heron Close, Alton, Hampshire, in the early hours of 14 April 2025.

Stan Rickman, 91, and Roma Rickman, 88, were pronounced dead at the scene.

A Hampshire Constabulary spokesman said: "Officers have been carrying out thorough inquiries to establish the full circumstances, and have now charged a 16-year-old boy, formerly from Alton, with two counts of unlawful act manslaughter and arson."

He has been bailed with conditions to appear at Portsmouth Youth Court on 12 May, he added.

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In a statement released through police, the victims' family said: "Stan and Roma were much loved parents and grandparents who were kind and generous and would do anything for anyone.

"The family are extremely saddened that they were taken from us too early and that we were unable to share their last years with them.

"They will be greatly missed, but their memory will live on through their family and many friends."

(c) Sky News 2026: Boy charged with arson and manslaughter of elderly couple who died in house fire