An inquest was due to open tomorrow into the deaths of four friends killed when a stolen car they were in ploughed into a building and burst into flames in Laisterdyke, Bradford.

The inquest, to be held at Bradford Coroner’s Court, comes the day after it was revealed that the funeral of the oldest victim, James McLuskey, of Harrier Close, Lower Grange, Bradford, will take place on Christmas Eve.

The 21-year-old was one of four people travelling in a high-powered Subaru Impreza when it crashed into a fish and chip shop in Killinghall Road early on Thursday last week..

He was accompanied by Tom Tilleard, 15, of Lapwing Close, Lower Grange, Craig James, 17, of Wenborough Lane, Holme Wood, and Robert Lynn, 16, of Arden Road, Lower Grange. They all died at the scene despite efforts to save them from the burning wreckage.

West Yorkshire Police said inquiries into the collision are still ongoing.

The Subaru had been pursued by a police vehicle for less than a minute prior to the collision, but officers have been cleared of any blame by the Independent Police Complaints Commission.

An investigation into the crash is being held by the Homicide and Major Enquiry Team at West Yorkshire Police.

Tributes to the victims have now been posted on the internet website Gone Too Soon.

One message, written about Mr McLuskey, said: “James was a fun-loving lad. He would help anybody, he liked a laugh and a joke, he will be missed by so many people.”

Mr McLuskey’s funeral is due to take place at 10am on Wednesday, December 24, at St Clare’s Church, Fagley Road followed by internment at Bowling Cemetery at 11.30am.

Mr McLuskey, who had three brothers and a stepbrother, lost his hearing after contracting meningitis when he was six months old.

His family have requested that donations be made to the Deaf Children’s Society.

Online tributes have been left to the other victims. One message said: “God bless you all. I hope others will learn from this awful accident.

e-mail: will.kilner @telegraphandargus.co.uk