Blaze death detectives follow up leads from Crimewatch appeal

Mrs Brooke, aged 81, died after white spirit was poured through the letterbox of her home at Sandal Grange Farm, Sandal, Wakefield, causing a blaze at her property.

Following a Crimewatch appeal shown on BBC1 at the end of January, an anonymous caller rang in suggesting a potential link between the arson and a fire at a nearby property two months before, resulting in a second appeal on the programme on Monday night.

The appeal gave further details of the previous fire that took place just after 9pm on Sunday August 31, 2008, at a property in Milnthorpe Green, Sandal. Mrs Brooke was killed in a blaze in the early hours of Monday November 10, 2008.

Footage from CCTV cameras of the fire in August shows two men pouring accelerant from what appears to be a petrol can onto a plastic cone and setting it alight before driving off in what is believed to be a red car.

Detective Superintendent Dave Pervin, who is leading the investigation, said the incident had been looked at the time of her death but following new information it was being looked at again.

He said: “Following the anonymous call to Crimewatch in January we made the decision to further publicise the CCTV footage from the incident in August 2008 in the hope that someone with information may come forward.

“The nature of this crime would suggest a deliberate targeting of the owner’s property.”

He said they would like to speak to the two men or anyone who knew who they were and he appealed for the anonymous caller to get in touch again.

Mr Pervin said several calls had been made to Crimewatch after Monday’s appeal which were being followed up.

He added: “Mrs Brooke’s family are still dealing with the devastation caused by her death and there is the added suffering while her killer is still at large.”

DS Pervin urged anyone who has any information, either about the fire in August 2008 and the CCTV footage, or about the fire in which Mrs Brooke died to get in touch.

Anyone who can help is asked to contact the incident room at West Yorkshire Police by calling 0845 606 0606.