A Somali refugee told today of his shock after the charred body of his brother was discovered in a cellar.

Detectives believe Abdshakur Barre committed suicide after he started the fire himself in the back-to-back house in Great Horton.

A member of the public raised the alarm on a mobile phone after smoke was spotted coming from an air vent in the property in Derby Street, off Great Horton Road, just before 5pm on Monday. Fire crews used a sledgehammer to break down the wooden front door before making the discovery.

But speaking to the Telegraph & Argus, the victim's younger brother Harun Barre said he could not believe that Abdshakur, also a refugee, took his own life. The 20-year-old, who lives in Leeds, said: "I saw him about two weeks ago and he was feeling fine. He seemed okay to me.

"My Somali friends rang me on the evening when he died. The police said I couldn't see his body because it was so badly burned.

"Now I'm just waiting for the Coroner's office to release it so we can bury him in Bradford. I feel very, very bad."

Police are now satisfied that the 32-year-old, who moved from Scotland three months ago to live in the rented home, started the fire himself using an accelerant.

Khalif Hurre, leader of the Somali community in West Yorkshire, said: "We are a very tight-knit community and everyone has been affected by the death of Abdshakur Barre.

"He was a good Muslim, very active within the community and a well respected man.

"It's a great loss and we are really sad. All we want to know is what happened. We are awaiting the result of the inquest."

A post-mortem carried out on Mr Barre revealed he died of smoke inhalation during the blaze.

Detective Superintendent Allan Doherty, of Bradford South police, said: "Having visited the scene and looked at the circumstances, I am satisfied this was a suicide. The case is now in the hands of the coroner."

Landlord Mohammed Akbar, 30, who lives in Thornbury, said he had only met the dead man twice after he moved into the house which was let by Bradford Property Rentals.

Mr Akbar, who is a bus driver with First Bradford, said: "He seemed all right, not depressed, but quite quiet. I presumed that was because he didn't really know me. It's just so shocking how he died."