Man and girl found dead at house

Police have launched an investigation after the bodies of a man and a young girl were found inside a house.

Officers forced their way into the property in Briarwood, Brookside, Telford, at around 8.45pm last night, where they found the man and child.

A police spokeswoman said the deaths are being treated as unexplained but added that there was evidence of a kitchen fire at the house.

The man and child, who are thought to be father and daughter, were confirmed dead at the scene by paramedics.

Nobody else was at the property at the time, the spokeswoman said.

She added: "West Mercia Police are currently treating the deaths as unexplained.

"Officers forced entry to the property and discovered evidence that there had been an extensive kitchen fire inside.

"The Shropshire Coroner's office has been informed and post- mortem examinations are taking place to establish the cause of death.

"Formal identification has not yet taken place."

She said no further details regarding the ages or identities of the man and child would be released at this point.

Neighbour Derek Matthews said he heard sirens last night but did not pay much attention until he saw police vehicles outside the house.

He said: "I looked out of the window and I saw four police cars so I knew something was up then because it was all cordoned off, all taped off.

"I haven't seen them about for a good few weeks. I didn't know him well. He had a lot of taxis coming to pick him up. I knew he had a small child but I hadn't seen her for a while either.

"It's a shock round here. I understand it in the centre, but not here."

Michael Flynn, another local resident, said he knew the man to say hello to when they passed, but did not know him or the young girl well.

A team of fire investigators were seen today going into the property, which had been cordoned off with police tape.