Girl, 9, and her father die after house fire

A nine-year-old girl and her father have died, and an 11-year-old girl is in a critical condition, following a house fire in West Yorkshire.

Emergency services were called to an ongoing fire in Russell Close, Heckmondwike, shortly after 06:10 BST on Sunday.

Despite medical attention the man was pronounced dead at the scene while the nine-year-old died in hospital later the same day, West Yorkshire Police said.

An investigation into the cause of the fire is under way, but police said they did not believe it to be suspicious.

Det Insp Paul Greatorex said: "We are continuing to work with colleagues at the fire service to investigate this dreadfully sad incident which has resulted in a father and daughter losing their lives.

"Extensive inquiries have been ongoing since yesterday and we have been working to locate and support relatives of the victims both here and outside of the UK at what is clearly an awful time for the family.

"While our enquiries remain ongoing we do not believe there are any suspicious circumstances regarding the cause of the fire and will be preparing a file for the coroner in due course."

West Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service confirmed four crews were sent to the scene on Sunday.

"Firefighters removed three people from within the property, two of whom were taken to hospital by ambulance," a spokesperson said.

"Our fire investigators are working with police to establish the circumstances of the fire."

Darren O'Donovan, chairman of West Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Authority and a councillor for Dewsbury West, said the blaze could have been started by a tumble dryer, but that fire crews and police were "still investigating".

Mr O'Donovan said: "It's clearly a tragic event for the family and people that live in that neighbourhood.

"My thoughts and condolences go out to the family and those affected by this.

"We believe the fire started about an hour before the 999 call came in.

"Initial investigations suggest the fire may have started in the kitchen area and its possible source could have been the tumble dryer, but that's still under investigation.

"That's the tragedy: this was just a local family on a very regular street in Heckmondwike and a tragic accident has taken place."

Mr O'Donovan added that the local community was "rallying and pulling together to support other members of the family and friends affected by this".

The fire service would have an increased presence in the neighbourhood over the next few days to speak with neighbours about fire prevention measures, Mr O'Donovan said.

Neighbour Aliyah Hussain said she used to see the nine-year-old girl who died in the fire playing outside with other children on the street.

"It's quite a reality check that tomorrow is not promised," she said.

"It could've been anyone. It's quite upsetting it's happened just across the road."

Another neighbour said it would be "really difficult" to break the news to her own child, who used to play with the nine-year-old.

"We are just going to have to try to break it down to her gradually," they said.

"It's going to be a big shock for her. I'm just devastated, lost for words."

Spen Valley Labour MP Kim Leadbeater said she was "deeply saddened by the tragic news".

"My heartfelt condolences go to the family and all those affected by this unimaginable loss," she shared in a statement.

"I know the local community will be shocked by this heart-breaking event, and I want to thank the emergency services for their swift response and the care they provided at the scene.

"I will continue to stay in close contact with the relevant authorities and offer any support I can to the family and the wider community during this very difficult time."

Meanwhile, Heckmondwike Labour councillor Viv Kendrick said the incident had impacted family, friends and neighbours, who were just grasping what had happened.

"It was a horrifying, frightening incident," she said.

"Russell Close is a long, straight cul-de-sac, where most people know each other."

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