Minute's applause for football fan killed in house fire

A football club will hold a minute's applause on Saturday in tribute to a fan who died in a house fire.

The tribute for Louie Thorn, who was 23, will take place at Kettering Town's Southern League Premier Central home match against Royston Town.

Mr Thorn was one of three people, including four-year-old Mayci Fox, who died in a fire at a converted railway station in Rushton, Northamptonshire, last month.

Kettering Town owner George Akhtar said: "It's devastating news for the community, but [the minute's applause] shows you the power of the community."

Mr Thorn's father Lee Thorn - who is a former director of the club - requested the applause take place in the 23rd minute.

Lee Thorn has already said his son "will always be the angel on my shoulder" and their shared passion for football prompted him to buy both Kettering Town and Nuneaton Borough.

"It's the very least that we can do for such a big fan," added Mr Akhtar.

A coroner has been told that all three of the house fire victims were killed by smoke inhalation.

Northamptonshire Police said the cause of the fire was not suspicious.

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