Murder detectives have linked a fatal fire which killed a 24-year-old Littlehampton man to two other blazes in the area at the same time.

Supermarket worker Terry Davies died after a fire broke out in the converted block of flats where he lived in South Terrace, Littlehampton, at 1am on September 12.

Now police have revealed two other suspicious blazes were also started in the hours leading up to the fire which claimed the Morrison’s worker’s life.

In at least one of these fires, started just streets away from where Mr Davies died, white spirit was used – the same accelerant which was poured through the door of Mr Davies’ home.

In nearby Baysford Road white spirit was poured around a front door at about 3pm on September 11.

Later on that evening at 10.50pm a car was set alight in Granville Road, only short period of time before the fire in South Terrace.

Detective Inspector John Wallace said: “These three events have been linked at this time as they happened within hours of each other and were only a matter of a few streets from each other in Littlehampton.

“We are hoping to speak to any witnesses or people who can give any information at all about either the two fires or what happened in Baysford Road.”

His mother, Mitzi Price, who lives in Rustington, said: “Even if anyone has the smallest piece of information, just a little snippet, all of it can add up and if anyone can think of anything from that night it could help.”

She added: “All I keep thinking is why? Why would someone do that? Why Terry? I think of that all the time.

“I was in shock when officers came to tell me he had died, it was just a normal working day for us and all I kept thinking was ‘he's 24, he can't die’.”

Anyone with information is urged to contact police on 101, email 101@sussex.pnn.police.uk quoting Operation Annexe or contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.