Fresh CCTV footage has been released by police showing a group of individuals fleeing after a commercial-grade firework detonated inside a man’s home, eight years after his death, in a renewed attempt to track down his killers.
Tony Nicholls, 56, sustained severe injuries when several people forced their way into his residence in Tile Cross, Birmingham, and ignited the firework – containing approximately 200 explosive tubes – in the hallway at roughly 11.20pm on November 2, 2017.
Mr Nicholls, who became trapped in an upstairs bedroom as flames engulfed the Birchtrees Drive property, succumbed to his injuries in hospital five days later from burns and smoke inhalation-related complications, a 2019 inquest revealed.
(Image: PA)
West Midlands Police previously detained five men aged 31, 30, 23, 22 and 19, alongside a 19-year-old woman, on suspicion of murder before releasing them under investigation.
The newly released CCTV captures the group approaching Mr Nicholls’ residence before fleeing moments afterwards, with the firework visible shooting from the building prior to the fatal blaze taking hold.
Detective Superintendent Jim Munro from West Midlands Police’s homicide unit explained that the footage is being shared now as loyalties can shift over time, appealing for anyone with information to provide Mr Nicholls’ family with closure.
(Image: SWNS)
He stated: “You can see from the size of the firework that it was always going to cause significant damage if let off indoors.
“The firework is called a Colossus Finale 600 Series. It’s industrial-sized and unusual, and we still believe someone out there may have information about where it came from.
“It’s hard to imagine just how awful Tony’s final moments must have been, and we are determined to get justice for him and his family.
“We are releasing these new images now as we know that over time, allegiances can change. People who didn’t feel willing or able to speak up at the time may now feel very differently.
(Image: SWNS)
“We want to show just how callous an act this was and for the people responsible, or those who know who was responsible, to examine their conscience.
“We have received information and intelligence about the attack in the years since it happened but have so far been unable to charge anyone.
“I want that to change today. If you have information about what happened, or who was responsible, get in touch.
“It may be that you feel what you know is not significant, but it could be the piece of information we need to finally get justice for Tony.”
(Image: West Midlands Police / SWNS)
Crimestoppers are also offering a £20,000 reward for any information directly related to Mr Nicholls’ death.
Speaking eight years after his death, Mr Nicholls’ daughter Fiona Nicholls described her life as “hell” since her father passed away.
She said: “My dad was my everything. He was funny, witty, and he worked hard all his life.
“The last eight years have been hell. I relive it every day. Every bonfire night, I’m anxious, it just brings back trauma of what happened to my dad. It’s horrible, I live a nightmare every day.
“I need anyone with information to come forward. They need to do the right thing. They know something, and they’ve got to come forward and tell the police what they know.
“I need the answers, and justice for me and my dad.”
You can contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or via their website to qualify for the reward.
To speak directly to the police, dial 101 or use the live chat function at westmidlands.police.uk..