A nine-year-old girl and her father have been killed in a house fire in West Yorkshire, while her sister, 11, remains in a critical condition.
The police were called to reports of a fire at a property in Heckmondwike at around 6am on Sunday.
Both the girls were both taken to hospital for immediate treatment, but tragically the nine-year-old died later that day from her injuries.
Their father received medical attention at the scene but sadly also did not survive.
A two-storey semi-detached terrace house remains cordoned off while a blue tent was raised at the front of the property.
Two firefighters have also been seen inspecting what appears to be a washing machine in the house’s back garden.
The authorities have said that they do not believe there are any suspicious circumstances surrounding the fire.
Since news of their deaths were announced, tributes have been flooding in.
One local said: ‘Our thoughts and prayers are with all the victims and their extended families and friends at this difficult time.’
Another said: ‘My heart and thoughts go out to their family and friends at this heartbreaking time. Really hope the other girl makes a full recovery.’
Detective Inspector 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 enquiries 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.
‘Our support for the family involved clearly also still continues.’
West Yorkshire Fire Service said: ‘We were called at 06.11 yesterday to reports of a house fire on Russell Close in Heckmondwike.
‘We sent four crews (2x Dewsbury, Spen Valley and Morley).
‘Firefighters retrieved three people from within the property, two of whom were taken to hospital by ambulance.
‘Our fire investigators are working with police to establish the circumstances of the fire.’