TWO women may be charged for illegally selling a firework believed to have been used to start a house blaze in which a pensioner died.

Grandfather Arthur Lonsdale died two days after the Little Brother rocket was pushed through his letter box as he slept at his home in Witherwack, Sunderland, last October.

Smoke and flames swept through the premises, in Westerham Close, and the 52-year-old former locksmith, known locally as Arky, collapsed after being overcome as he tried to escape.

Firefighters rescued him from the hallway, and he was taken to hospital, where he died two days later from pneumonia and respiratory failure.

A 15-year-old boy arrested in connection with the incident has been charged with manslaughter.

He appeared before Sunderland Youth Court on January 20, when the case was adjourned for a fortnight.

The boy was further bailed to an address in South Tyneside. Conditions were imposed by the youth panel.

Two women, aged 27 and 57, arrested ten days after Mr Lonsdale's death, in connection with the alleged illegal sale of fireworks to children, answered bail yesterday.

A Northumbria Police spokesman said: "Two women have been re-interviewed and a file is now with the Crown Prosecution Service, who will determine what charges, if any, should be brought."

Three other youths interviewed in connection with the incident no longer face any action.