Police quiz man after jockeys die in blaze

Sep 6 2009 by Katy Simpson and Phil Doherty, Sunday Sun

TWO apprentice jockeys have been killed in a suspected arson attack at a block of flats and police fear there may be more victims.

Two other jockeys were taken to hospital suffering from burns and smoke inhalation following the tragedy at the three-storey block near Malton, North Yorkshire, in the early hours of yesterday.

Police say there could also be more casualties as two people were last night still unaccounted for from the fire-ravaged flats.

The building was so badly damaged by the fire that no one has been able to enter the building, known as the Tannery, and the bodies of the men were still inside.

A local man in his 30s was arrested and is being quizzed by detectives investigating the fatal blaze.

Eyewitnesses said survivors were thought to have jumped out of windows to flee the flames in the early hours of yesterday morning.

North Yorkshire Police did not release the names of the men who died, but one is believed to be the promising Irish apprentice Jamie Kyne.

A police spokesman said: “Two people have died as a result of the fire.

“The intensity of the fire has caused substantial structural damage to the building, including the stairwell, making it unsafe to enter.

“This has delayed the recovery operation and we are therefore still unable to confirm any further details of the deceased at this time.

“Two people remain unaccounted for, but until access is gained and a full search has been carried out, we are unable to confirm if there are any further casualties.”

Superintendent Steve Tarn said a man was being questioned by police about his involvement.

He said: “We are going to interview him to establish his involvement or not.

“At this moment in time the police are treating it as suspicious and would ask for the community in Malton and Norton for their help.”

The racing world was in mourning yesterday with courses across the country remembering those who died.

Kempton and Thirsk staged a period of silence in remembrance, while jockeys at Stratford were wearing black armbands.

York racecourse, which is due to stage a fixture today, is flying its flags at half-mast.