UPDATED: Murder investigation launched after man dies at Burnley house (From Lancashire Telegraph)

UPDATED: Murder investigation launched after man dies at Burnley house

10:30am Friday 2nd November 2012 in News By Peter Magill, Chief reporter

A MURDER probe has been launched after a man's body was found in a house on Hallowe'en.

Police and paramedics were called to Reed Street, in Burnley Wood.

They found the body of the 51-year-old lying at the bottom of the stairs with a head injury at around 11.20pm.

Attempts were made to revive the man but he was pronounced dead.

Detectives said they were treating his death as ‘unexplained’.

Last night two women, aged 20 and 49, and three men, aged 42, 45 and 48, all from Burnley, were being quizzed by police after they were arrested on suspicion of murder.

A post-mortem examination was carried out yesterday to determine the cause of death.

Shocked residents described how they heard a 'commotion' coming from inside the house from 3pm on Wednesday.

Steven Riley, 36, of Reed Street, said: “There had been shouting and a bit of a commotion going on there since about 3pm.

“There were definitely a few people in the house during the afternoon and evening.

“It was late on when I saw people upset on the street. I think they had knocked on the door, gone in and found him injured or dead.

“The police and paramedics arrived shortly after.”

Another neighbour, a 20 year-old woman, said she 'hadn’t slept a wink' after finding out someone had died at the house.

She said: “There were two or three police vans, four squad cars and an ambulance on the street.

“It really shook me up as I have a two-year-old daughter. It was all so dramatic.

“I’d been thinking about moving and changed my mind but stuff like this will make me consider it again.”

A neighbour, who has lived on Reed Street for 37 years, said she had heard a 'loud crashing noise' from the house during the evening.

She said: “It sounded like someone had thrown a chest of drawers or something heavy down a flight of stairs.”

Crime scene investigators wearing full body protective suits attended the house to gather evidence and carry out tests yesterday..

Detectives arrived at around noon and spent the afternoon examining the scene and interviewing neighbours.

A police presence was maintained throughout the day, with officers in police vehicles positioned at the front and rear.

Det Supt Ian Critchley said: “We have launched an investigation following the discovery of a man’s body at an address in Burnley and I would urge anyone with information or who saw anything suspicious to contact us.

“A post mortem examination will take place later to establish the exact cause of death and we are currently seeking to identify the victim, who we believe to be a local 51-year-old man.

“Both detectives and neighbourhood policing officers are in the area and if anyone has information or concerns then I would urge them to speak to one of those officers.”

People with any information should call Lancashire Police on 101 or Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.