TWO people have been rearrested on suspicion of murder after a pensioner was found dead following a blaze which destroyed his home, police said.

A 38-year-old man and 30-year-old woman, both from Blackburn, were being questioned by detectives last night after it was discovered former lecturer Christopher Proctor, 88, did not die in the fire that ripped through his Blackburn home in Pleckgate Road.

Police launched a murder inquiry after his body was discovered by firefighters in the early hours of November 10.

A post mortem revealed Mr Proctor died before the fire, but further tests are needed to establish an exact cause of death, police said.

Murder detectives are investigating claims Mr Proctor was targeted for financial reasons by people who knew he was vulnerable.

Six others also arrested in connection with the investigation have been released without charge.