Brother and sister die in house fire

Police in West Yorkshire have appealed for information about anyone seen buying petrol cans in the Bradford area after two children died in a house fire.

The girl, aged 10, and her eight-year-old brother were killed and their mother left with life-threatening injuries after the blaze in their end-of-terrace home in the early hours of yesterday.

According to a neighbour, the children's mother was "screaming and shouting" outside the house during vain attempts to reach them. Police said the little girl was pronounced dead at the scene and her brother died shortly after he arrived at hospital.

Their mother, 30, was taken to Bradford Royal Infirmary before being transferred to Pinderfields Hospital in Wakefield.

A 21-year-old man has been arrested in connection with the incident.

Senior investigating officer Detective Superintendent Bill Shackleton said: "Two young children have lost their lives and it is crucial we establish how and why the fire started."