Murder probe as four bodies found in Pudsey

Police attended the house at about 5.30pm yesterday following concerns from family members.

The four bodies were discovered in an upstairs bedroom which was subject to fire damage.

The deceased are a 37-year-old man and his 36-year-old female partner, along with their two sons.

The family have been named locally as Richard and Clair Smith and their children Ben, nine, and Aaron, one.

Police were today continuing to work with fire investigators to establish the cause of the fire and the circumstances leading to the deaths.

Post-mortem examinations were expected to be carried out today and officers from the North West Inner Neighbourhood Policing Team have been sent into the area offering reassurance to residents.

Detective Superintendent Paul Taylor, of the Homicide and Major Enquiry Team, said: “Initially we had concerns regarding the release of harmful chemicals or gases.

“Following testing, we no longer have any concerns with regards to those working at the scene and we will continue our investigations today.

“Inquiries are at an early stage and I would ask anyone with information about the incident to contact the Homicide and Major Enquiry Team on the non-emergency number, 101.”

Police have cordoned off a section of the road while investigations continued.

Flowers were laid at the scene in tribute to Richard, Clair, Ben, and Aaron describing them as a beautiful family.

One neighbour, who did not want to be identified, said she had been left shocked at the news of the murder investigation.

She said: "It’s upsetting whatever the outcome is but the fact that they are saying it’s a murder investigation it’s even more awful I suppose. I just can’t understand what’s happened."

Another woman who also laid flowers at the edge of the cordon said: "I knew them to say hello to because my kids went to their school."

She said the children were "kind, caring and full of life".