Detectives probing the death of a man in a house blaze have launched a murder inquiry.

They revealed Neil Watson, pulled out of his burning Pudsey home by firefighters, had suffered serious head injuries.

And scenes-of-crime officers who examined the smoke-logged house in Walmer Grove found "a lot of blood", it has been revealed.

Pudsey firefighters snatcheded the 33-year-old from the terraced house just after 5am yesterday.

At first he appeared to be suffering from smoke inhalation. But he was later confirmed dead at Leeds General Infirmary.

Detectives now believe he was killed by means other than the fire.

Detective Superintendent Jim Bancroft, of Pudsey CID, who is in charge of the investigation, said Mr Watson, a divorcee, had injuries which were not consistent with the house fire.

He said: "We are looking into the full circumstances and believe the fire had been burning at the house for some time. When the fire service arrived the man appeared to be suffering from smoke inhalation but there was a lot of blood at the scene and he had head injuries."

The detective appealed for anyone who may have overheard or witnessed a disturbance or any activity in the middle of the night in the Walmer Grove area to get in touch.

Police were today continuing their investigation into both the cause of the blaze and the man's death.

They have been carrying out house-to-house inquiries in the area.

The house in Walmer Grove, a cul-de-sac, was sealed off yesterday.

When Pudsey firefighters arrived at the house, they said it was full of smoke. The living room where the fire was burning was badly damaged and the rest of the house was smoke-logged.

Anyone who could shed light on the fire or who saw any activity in the street on Tuesday night or early yesterday morning is asked to contact Pudsey CID on 0113 2414859.

Two men were today being questioned in connection with the incident.