Andrew Gorrell’s actions led to the death of an 82 year-old man in his home
Andrew Gorrell’s actions led to the death of an 82 year-old man in his home
Owen Hughes Business correspondent and Jamie Greer Reporter
08:44, 19 Feb 2026
The first picture of a “fire obsessed” murderer has been released. Andrew Gorrell, 54, was caught on CCTV setting fire to a wheelie bin outside the home of 82 year-old John Edwards on Holyhead Road, Wednesbury, in the early hours of May 11 2025.
The fire spread to a bush and then to Mr Edwards’ house in north Wales. He, along with two other men and a woman, were rescued and taken to hospital, but Mr Edwards later died from his injuries in hospital on May 25.
Investigators recovered CCTV footage from nearby, showing a man carrying a carrier bag and igniting a suspected cigarette butt which he found on the floor. He could then be seen moving between the front gardens of Mr Edwards’ house and a neighbouring property for around 40 minutes.
CCTV footage showed the man, wearing a Nightmare on Elm Street T-shirt, a horror film in which the central character was burned alive, igniting a possible lighter while standing in between the two houses. Shortly after, out of sight of CCTV coverage, it’s believed the wheelie bin was set alight.
He then walked away from the scene and the bin caught fire. Using facial recognition technology, police identified Gorrell as the suspect.
Following the fire, Gorrell walked to a nearby petrol station where he told a staff member he was stranded and needed to get back to Wolverhampton Rail Station.
Gorrell was arrested from his home address in Saltney, North Wales and was wearing the same Nightmare on Elm Street jacket as he was wearing at the scene. Officers also recovered the plastic bag he was carrying.
He was then charged with murder, three counts of attempted murder and arson. He was also charged with three further counts of arson after three bins were set alight in Wednesbury on the same morning.
Following a trial at Wolverhampton Crown Court, Gorrell of Moss Grove, Saltney was found guilty of all offences. He is due to be sentenced at a later date.
Detective Inspector Nigel Box from West Midlands Police Homicide Unit said: “We believe Gorrell was obsessed with fire as we found a stash of fuel and a fire pit in his garden.
“We also discovered that Gorrell moved the wheelie bin to block the front of the door of the house making it difficult for the occupants to escape.
“His actions and his obsession cost an innocent man his life as well as seriously injuring others. Our thoughts remain with Mr Edwards’ loved ones.”
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