9:19pm Friday 9th January 2009
By James Rush
Investigators probing a fire which caused the deaths of two people have narrowed the possible causes down to “two or three”.
Fire investigation officers, scenes of crime officers and expert fire investigators from the Forensic Science Services were at the scene in Cecil Avenue, Great Horton, today trying to piece together how the fire started.
The victims, believed to be a Latvian couple in their 40s, died in the fire at dawn on Thursday, in the attic of the three-storey house, which had been converted into flats.
Geoff Crossley, Bradford district manager for West Yorkshire Fire Service, said suspicious circumstances had not been ruled out of the investigation. He said: “We are looking at two or three possible causes at the moment.
“We have narrowed it down but further investigation will determine the exact cause.
“We have got Forensic Science Services from Chorley investigating with scenes of crime officers and fire investigation officers all working together to try and determine the exact course.
“We have not ruled out suspicious circumstances.”
Firefighters were initially called to the scene at about 6am yesterday.
Meanwhile, at 9.09pm on Wednesday, crews were called to a fire in a house in Moorside Road, Eccleshill, which claimed the life of a 75-year-old woman.
Fire investigators have confirmed they believe the fire in Eccleshill was accidental and caused by smoking materials. Police today said they were unable to release the names of any of the deceased.
But a West Yorkshire Police spokesman said: “We are hoping to release the name of the two deceased in Great Horton some time next week.”
Experts in fire investigation were sent for from the Forensic Science Services in Chorley yesterday.
On the day of the fire community leaders offered their condolences to the friends and family of the deceased.
Councillor Shakeela Lal (Lab, City) said: “It’s shocking and terrible, a sad loss in the community.
“No-one deserves to die in such a horrific way.”
Councillor Munir Ahmed (Con, City) praised the firefighters.
He said: “They did their job well and I’m sure they will do their best to find out what really happened in there.”
e-mail: james.rush @telegraphandargus.co.uk
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