Retired 89-year-old university lecturer dies in suspected arson attack in Norwich

Teenager detained under Mental Health Act remains under investigation

Vera Croghan died following a house fire in Norwich.jpg (PA)

A retired university lecturer has died in a suspected arson attack on her home in Norwich. 

Emergency services discovered a woman identified as Vera Croghan, 89, at the address in Unthank Road early on Friday morning. She was pronounced dead at the scene. 

A teenager who was arrested and later detained under the Mental Health Act remains under investigation, Norfolk Police said. 

In a tribute issued through police, Ms Croghan's family described her as a “much-loved mum of four and grandmother of 10”.

“She was a well-known and highly respected academic, having been a lecturer in Swedish and Scandinavian Studies at [the University of East Anglia] from its establishment in 1963 until her retirement over 30 years later,” her family said.

“She was the author of the best-selling Teach Yourself Swedish book. She dearly loved Norwich and the local area, and she loved the house that she had lived in continuously for 57 years.

“She loved baking cakes from traditional Swedish recipes, often involving cardamoms and cinnamon.”

A Home Office post-mortem examination which took place on Sunday was unable to establish the cause of Ms Croghan's death.

Further investigations are being carried out.

Detective Inspector Chris Burgess of Norfolk Police said: “From our inquiries so far we believe this was an isolated incident and we know the man arrested in connection with it was known to the victim.

“We also know that officers were called to reports of an argument at the address in Unthank Road just after midnight on Friday December 11.

“On arrival officers established no offences had been committed; however, as is standard procedure, the investigation has been referred to the Independent Office for Police Conduct.

“Our priority continues to be establishing the exact circumstances leading up to the fire and I am keen to hear from anyone who may have CCTV or dashcam footage in and around the vicinity of Unthank Road between 11pm on Thursday December 10 and 7am on Friday December 11.”

Anyone with information is asked to call DI Chris Burgess in the Norfolk and Suffolk Joint Major Investigation Team on 101 quoting reference number 36/87264/20.

Alternatively contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.

Additional reporting by PA