Three dead bodies found at house in Leeds

The bodies of two women and a man were found in a terrace house in the East End Park area of the city

Police at a property in East Park Street, Leeds, where three bodies were found (PA)

Three bodies have been found dead at a house in Leeds, police have confirmed.

West Yorkshire Police said they were called to a red-brick property in the East End Park area of the city shortly before midday on Easter Sunday by a relative of one of the occupants.

Police, fire and ambulance crew found the bodies of two women and a man. The women, found in the living room, are believed to be in their 20s or 30s and thought to be in a relationship, according to reports.

The body of a male friend, or lodger, aged around 18, was reportedly found in the kitchen.

Three Rottweilers were also found dead in the terraced property.

Officers believe the bodies may have been there for more than a day, and initial indications suggest there may have been a fire at the property.

Police at a property in East Park Street, Leeds, where three bodies were found (PA)

Police said enquiries are on-going to establish the circumstances. It is not believed there was any sign of violence and officers are understood to be working on the theory that the cause of death was smoke inhalation.

Forensic post-mortem examinations will be carried out to determine the cause of death. The bodies have yet to be formally identified.

Acting Detective Inspector Mark Atkinson of Leeds District CID, said: "Our enquiries are at a very early stage and we are currently trying to establish the full circumstances surrounding the deaths. Initial indications are there has been a small fire at the premises.

"Forensic post-mortems will be held to establish how the three people found inside the property have died.

"We believe the deaths are likely to have occurred in the early hours of Saturday and we would like to hear from anyone who has seen the occupants of the address on Friday."

Anyone with any information is urged to contact Leeds District CID at Ellend Road via 101 quoting log number 538 or 27 March.

Additional reporting by Press Association