TWO TEENAGERS have been charged with killing an 88-year-old woman who was found dead at her home after a fire broke out at the property.
Kai Cooper, 18, and a 15-year-old teen were today charged with the manslaughter of Blitz survivor Josephine Smith.
Police had rushed to reports of a fire at a residential address in Romford, east London on October 28.
As many as 40 firefighters scrambled to the scene just after 10pm with calls of a two-storey mid-terraced house on fire.
The OAP was rescued from the first floor but tragically died at the scene.
A post-mortem not long after revealed she died of smoke inhalation, police said.
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And cops today confirmed Cooper from Leatherhead, Surrey, and the 15-year-old boy from Southend, Essex, have been charged with manslaughter and arson with recklessness as to whether life was endangered.
Both were also charged with assault by beating regarding a separate offence on 27 October in High Road, Ilford.
The 15-year-old cannot be named.
The pair will today appear in custody at Thames Magistrates’ Court.
At the time of her death, Josephine was described as a "fantastic, loving mum and gran" by her family.
The elderly woman had been a mother-of-five and grandmother-of-seven who lived in the area her whole life.
Her family said the OAP would often remember life in London during the Second World War and what it was like running for cover from bombs.
Paying tribute to the Blitz survivor, her family said: "She was a fantastic, loving mum and gran. She was passionate about snooker and darts and was obsessed with Elvis Presley, visiting Graceland a few years ago."
Two teens had previously been arrested three days after the fire on suspicion of murder.
A third teen arrested, an 18-year-old woman, was released with no further action in relation to Josephine's death, but accepted an adult caution in relation to the possession of class A and B drugs.
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