Man charged with murder after pregnant woman dies in tower block blaze

A man has been charged with murder after a pregnant woman was killed in a tower block fire.

Lillo Troisi, 47, is also accused of arson with intent to endanger life, and arson being reckless as to whether life was endangered, Essex Police said.

Khabi Abrey, 30, died in hospital on Monday following a blaze at a block of flats in Balmoral Road, Westcliff-on-Sea, at around 11.15pm on Saturday.

Unemployed Troisi, of the same address, is due to appear at Southend Magistrates' Court on Thursday.

A post-mortem examination gave the cause of Mrs Abrey's death as complications arising from the inhalation of fire fumes.

Her unborn baby died of cardiac arrest due to this inhalation.