DETECTIVES are investigating the horrific death of a man who was found engulfed in flames on a popular Bradford playing field.

The victim, believed to be a 30-year-old man, was found on fire on grass close to houses in Lidget Green by two men returning home from work, at 4.30am yesterday.

The shocked witnesses alerted emergency services and the badly burned man was rushed to a specialist unit at hospital but died from his injuries later in the day.

Detectives are continuing to investigate the circumstances of the incident but do not believe a third person was involved in the tragedy.

The man has not yet been formally identified.

Detective Inspector Neil Benstead, of Bradford District CID, said emergency services were called to playing fields off Summerville Road, Lidget Green, at about 4.30am following a call of concern from a member of the public.

Det Insp Benstead said: "Police arriving at the scene provided emergency treatment to a man who had suffered serious burn injuries.

"He was taken to Pinderfields Hospital, Wakefield, for specialist treatment but has now sadly passed away.

"Inquiries are under way to formally identify the man who is believed to be aged 30 and from the local area.

"Investigations remain ongoing by detectives but at this stage it is not believed any other persons were involved in the incident."

 

Yesterday the playing fields were sealed off by police while forensic officers continued investigations at the scene, which is only a few yards from a row of terraced houses where families live.

One officer, wearing blue gloves, could be seen placing evidence - including a pair of charred trainers - into a bag to be forensically examined from an area of burned grass.

As police investigations continued, a group of primary age children played innocently in an adjoining field.

The Coroner will be informed when the dead man is formally identified. An inquest into the circumstances of his death will also be held at a later date.