A 24-year-old man was being quizzed by detectives last night after he was arrested on suspicion of a street murder on a Keighley housing estate.

Police were called to Guardhouse Avenue, Braithwaite, shortly after 10.40am yesterday where they discovered a 44-year-old man with fatal head injuries. The victim, named locally by the first name of Jason, was pronounced dead at the scene.

The street was cordoned off as forensic teams searched the area for evidence.

Police stood guard throughout the day and residents were prevented from entering or leaving any properties beyond number 26 for several hours.

An ambulance was parked at the end of the cul-de-sac for much of the day and a pool of blood could be seen on the road next to a defibrillator.

Witnesses in Grant Street reported seeing two men arguing at about 10.30am before a fight broke out. It is understood the men then made their way to Guardhouse Avenue through a ginnel.

The bottom end of Grant Street near to the Welcome Inn was cordoned off by police as part of the crime scene after residents reported that a broken broom, possibly used in the attack, had been found there.

Louise Reynoldson, of Guardhouse Avenue, said she had seen an injured man lying face down in the road when she left the house yesterday morning.

“I walked past him,” she said. “He looked like he had fallen over drunk and was asleep. My boyfriend said he looked like he had been hurt. Someone came out of a house and was shaking him telling him to stand up.

“I am not shocked by what has happened. It is nothing new in Keighley and I am used to it.”

Grant Street resident Chloe Exley said she had seen the victim arguing with another man shortly before the incident.

She said: “I have lived here nine years and nothing like this has ever happened. My 11-year-old daughter Jade could have been playing out when it happened. It does worry me for her sake.”

Helen Wall, who also lives in Grant Street, said: “I am a bit shook up. You don’t expect anything like that to happen on your doorstep, especially in broad daylight. We don’t normally have any trouble down here.”

The owner of a local convenience store, who did not want to be named, said the murder victim had been in his shop shortly before he had died. He said: “I knew the victim well. He was a regular customer. He came in every day. He was pretty harmless and wouldn’t do anything to deserve this. I just feel shocked. It is unbelievable for it to happen so early in the morning.”

Joanne Preen, licensee of The Reservoir Tavern in West Lane, said yesterday: “The police knocked on my door this morning and asked if anybody had tried to get in to the pub.

“It was quite frightening because I had left the door open all morning for the cat. There always seems to be something going on around here. I have only been here six months and have been broken in to twice and there are always police cars and ambulances flying up and down this road.”

Pat Rothery, who lives in Guardhouse Avenue, said she had seen the victim walking up the and down the street and believed him to be a quiet man. She said: “I think it is disgusting to take somebody’s life like that. I feel sick about it. It is not something that happens every day. It is mainly a quiet, safe area.”

The man’s death is being investigated by the Homicide and Major Enquiry Team at West Yorkshire Police. Witnesses or anyone with information about the incident should contact Detective Chief Inspector Simon Atkinson on 101.