Three survivors of a fatal house fire have said a personal thank you to the firefighters who saved their lives.

Pregnant mother Sonia Chadwick and her two children paid an emotional visit to Shipley Fire Station yesterday evening to express their gratitude.

They were rescued from their burning home on Prospect Grove, in the Windhill area of Shipley, by the station's Red Watch just over two weeks ago.

Sadly, Sonia's boyfriend James Tomlin died after jumping through an upstairs window to escape the raging fire, which was started deliberately and is the subject of an ongoing murder investigation.

Flammable material, possibly petrol, was poured through the letterbox or under the front door and set alight.

Sonia said: "I felt a great need to come here today and personally thank the firefighters who rescued us.

"They saved my two little boys' lives and they saved my life and we will be forever in their debt."

She hugged and thanked every member of the crew who were on duty on the night of the blaze.

Her sons Scott, six, and Dominic, four, were given VIP treatment by the station's crew.

They dressed in firemen's clothing and helmets and even had a ride on the fire engine which rushed to their home at 4.30am on August 15.

Then the children were given the chance to play with hosepipes, which they used to soak the fire crew.

What had started as an anxious and uneasy visit, where nobody knew quite what to say, had ended in smiles and laughter.

Sonia said: "When I arrived, I was nervous because I was wondering what I could say to someone who saved my life. But it has been fantastic and I'm really glad we came."

She said it was great to see her sons smiling and enjoying themselves.

Andrew Moore, crew manager for the Red Watch, said: "We usually just get a letter of thanks rather than a visit, so it has been tremendous to see them."

He said the fact that Sonia kept a mobile phone in her bedroom had helped to save their lives.

"The mobile phone was crucial in giving us their exact location and led to a speedy rescue, whereas a normal phone line would have burnt through earlier in the fire," he said.

Mr Moore also praised the fire control operator who advised Sonia and her children to get on the floor below the smoke line, which bought them valuable seconds.

Police investigating the murder of Mr Tomlin say a lot of his friends and associates are now coming forward.

Detective Superintendent Andy Brennan said: "They are providing us with information which is proving useful."

Police are still trying to identify a possible motive and any likely suspects.

Sonia said: "I still can't believe James is gone. As a family we have been going through a whole range of emotions but the one question that we desperately need answering is 'Why'?

"We are still very frightened every night. I can't sleep and even the smallest noise terrifies me that it is happening all over again."

She said the family would not rest or start coming to terms with the death until the person responsible was caught.