Barn blaze detectives to quiz youths seen on video footage

The three youths were pictured standing in a field overlooking the burning barn on video footage taken by a local resident at Hessle Farm in the village of Wragby, near Wakefield.

The three youths will be questioned by police but there is no suggestion that they had anything to do with the fire on the evening of Friday September 30.

The fire spread from a barn at the riding stables to a Ford Transit van. Two children were in child seats inside the vehicle.

Isobel June Dobson, aged two, from Hemsworth, died in the fire.

An inquest has heard that the probable cause of death was smoke inhalation.

Her one-year-old half-sister Sarah was saved when she was rescued from the burning van.

Yesterday detectives appealed again for information about the fire and for witnesses to come forward.

Detective Superintendent Sukhbir Singh, of West Yorkshire Police’s homicide and major enquiry team, said enquiries were continuing.

Det Supt Singh said the exact cause of the fire had not yet been established and added that a joint investigation by police and the fire service was still continuing – to try to ascertain the full circumstances of the incident.

He also made a new appeal for witnesses to come forward. Anyone with information can contact the homicide and major enquiry team on 0845 606 0606 or, alternatively, call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

The inquest into Isobel’s death was opened and adjourned last week.

Isobel’s stepfather was arrested on October 2 on suspicion of murder and attempted murder. He remains on police bail.

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