A MUM and her three children have been killed after a “deliberate” fire ripped through their home – while a man is being held on suspicion of murder.
A parent (29), her two girls, aged nine and one, and her five-year-old son tragically died in a horrific fire in Bradford, West Yorkshire.
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Woman and three children die in ‘deliberate’ house fire in Bradford Credit: © YappApp
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A 39-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of murderCredit: © YappApp
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Emergency services on scene today at Westbury Road Credit: Ben Lack
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Officers rushed to the address just after 2am this morning Credit: Ben Lack
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Neighbors say they heard screams Credit: Ben Lack
The children’s distraught dad is comforted by family liaison officers.
It came after emergency services rushed to a house fire on Westbury Road at 2.07am.
The mother was tragically pronounced dead at the scene.
Her three children – two girls aged nine and one and a five-year-old boy – were transported to the hospital.
Unfortunately, all three died from injuries sustained in the fire, the police said.
A 39-year-old man was arrested at the scene on suspicion of murder and taken to hospital with serious injuries, police added.
An initial investigation has shown that the Bradford fire was deliberately set and is believed to be a domestic crime, police said.
Today’s heartbreaking photos showed children’s toys and damaged furniture strewn across the back garden.
Charred windows and doors also revealed a scene of devastation following the fire at the semi-detached property.
Flowers were left at the scene with the words “Have fun in paradise, we’ll miss you.” A heartbreaking message, placed atop purple and white flowers, was placed outside the remains of the property following the early morning fire.
Neighbors on Westbury Road reported hearing “screams” coming from the house after about five fire engines and a dozen ambulances arrived just after 2am.
Others saw smoke “pouring from the house” and smelled “burning rubber” as the property burned.
One neighbour, who wished to remain anonymous, said: “‘There were flames and smoke coming out of the house. We were shocked.
“There was really thick smoke coming up the street. It filled the whole area. It looked hazy. It was overwhelming.
“You could hear screaming. I was afraid to go up there to see because you don’t know what’s going on. It’s a big thing that’s happening. It’s scary.”
“My husband went down the street to see if he could help. He saw that the house was on fire because flames and smoke were coming out of it. The fire was blazing.
“But firefighters and police told him to back off and not put himself in danger. There were other residents who were also trying to help.
“He said he saw two firemen run into the house.”
Another local, who did not want to be named, said: “There was a lot of police. I believe there were at least 15 police vehicles.
“I also saw about six ambulances and at least four or five fire engines. I think it could have been a serious house fire.
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Locals say around 15 police vehicles were at the sceneCredit: Ben Lack
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The smoke coming from the property was ‘overwhelming’, neighbors sayCredit: Getty
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Residents went to see if they could help Credit: Getty
“We live down the street and are close to the scene. Everything was still blocked off this morning.”
Another resident said: “It woke me up. I heard sirens at 2 or 3 in the morning.
“There was smoke coming out of the house. I knew something had happened and it wasn’t good. There was a bad smell. It smelled like burnt rubber.”
Other locals expressed their dismay at the death of four people in the fire.
They said: “I woke up and saw all the police vans. My nephew, who lives across the road, called the fire brigade.
“He also called me to say he was fine. It’s a terrible thing to happen. It’s just awful and horrible.”
Detective Chief Inspector Stacey Atkinson, from West Yorkshire Police’s Homicide and Major Investigation Team, said: “This is an absolutely devastating incident where three children and a woman have lost their lives.
“Our thoughts remain with their family, friends and loved ones.
“The first inquiries show that the fire was deliberately set, and we have arrested a man suspected of murder.
“He is seriously ill in the hospital today as a result of the injuries caused by the fire.
“Although our inquiries are at an early stage, we believe the incident is family-related.
“We are appealing to anyone who was in the area at the time of the incident or who has CCTV or ringing footage to come forward.”
She added: “Specially trained officers are supporting the family and we are working with local officers in the neighborhood to carry out inquiries and provide security in the area.”
Anyone who saw anything suspicious is asked to contact the police.
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Tributes have already been left at the scene Credit: SWNS
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A 29-year-old woman was tragically pronounced dead at the sceneCredit: SWNS
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Three children – two girls aged nine and one and a five-year-old boy – died in hospitalCredit: SWNS
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