Three men were today being questioned by police on suspicion of murder after a fierce blaze claimed the lives of a Bradford mum and her six-year-old son.

The men were arrested yesterday as police investigated the cause of the fatal fire.

Denise Clough and her son Mark Clough, pictured, were dragged from their home at Broadstone Way, Holme Wood, in the early hours of yesterday and were taken to Bradford Royal Infirmary but were dead on arrival.

Two of 38-year-old Mrs Clough's other children, 17-year-old Andrew McCafferty and 12-year-old Simon Clough, managed to escape the fire. They were also taken to Bradford Royal Infirmary and released after treatment.

The fire is believed to have broken out in the living room just after midnight. Firefighters from Bradford and Odsal fought desperately to rescue the family.

A spokesman for West Yorkshire Police said today the fire was being treated as suspicious and the cause was being investigated. Detective Superintendent Allan Doherty is leading the investigation.

Yesterday tues police forensic teams swarmed around the scene, looking for clues about how the fatal blaze started.

The block was cordoned off as the white-suited officers worked inside the blackened house.

Local children gathered at the edge of the cordon and floral tributes to Ms Clough and her son were placed outside her home.

She also has an older son, 19-year-old John Anthony McCafferty.

Mark was a year one pupil at Fearnville Primary School on Fearnville Drive.

Headteacher Catherine Butler described him as popular, friendly and eager to please.

"He was a lovely boy with a cheeky smile and ginger hair. He had been really coming out of himself and had lots of friends.

"I don't think it has hit the other children yet. It is a very sad thing for the whole school and all the staff and parents are upset, but it is a close knit community and we will help each other through it."

Mrs Butler said special prayers were being said today weds in the older children's assembly and younger children would be asked to talk about their memories of Mark.

Members of the local community also expressed their sadness.

Labour councillor for Holme Wood and firefighter John Ruding said: "I'm sad to hear about the deaths of two people in the ward and my thoughts are with their family and friends."

He said he did not know if the house was fitted with smoke detectors but urged people in the area to make sure they were adequately protected against fire.

Holme Wood vicar, the Reverend Gordon Dey, said he was shocked.

"It's just devastating for the family, friends and whole community. What can anyone say?"

But he said the community would support the family.

"One of Holme Wood's outstanding features is the huge level of care people have for one another and the way they rally round to support each other."

In February the Telegraph & Argus reported how Ms Clough and her four children faced eviction after claims the youngsters were causing distress to neighbours.

Bradford Council was to serve the family with notices of intention to evict and the courts were to make a final decision about what was to happen.

The Council said at the time that the move followed a crackdown, carried out with the police, on alleged anti-social behaviour in the Holme Wood area.