FOUR people arrested in connection with a fatal fire have been released under investigation.

Two men and two women assisted police with their inquiries over the weekend as detectives continue to investigate the blaze.

It started at the Manor House premises on High Street, in Easington Lane, near Houghton-le-Spring in the early hours of November 3.

Patryk Mortimer, 39, was found unconscious in the building where he lived and he was pronounced dead shortly after.

On Thursday, a 21-year-old man and a 36-year-old woman were arrested on suspicion of murder and were brought into custody to assist officers.

The following day a 34-year-old man and a 36-year-old woman were also arrested on suspicion of murder and brought in for questioning.

They have been released under investigation pending further enquiries.

More than 400 hours of CCTV footage has been seized as part of the ongoing investigation as a team of experienced detectives map out a chronology of events that led to the incident.

Two other men who were arrested on November 4 in connection with the fire also remain under investigation.

To help call police on 101.