Detectives to reconstruct Huddersfield house fire which killed two children

Detectives are planning to stage a detailed reconstruction of a fatal house fire in Huddersfield which claimed the lives of two young children.
A rescuer, thought to be a neighbour, tried to climb in using a veranda at the back. Picture: Peter Byrne/PA Wire.A rescuer, thought to be a neighbour, tried to climb in using a veranda at the back. Picture: Peter Byrne/PA Wire.
A rescuer, thought to be a neighbour, tried to climb in using a veranda at the back. Picture: Peter Byrne/PA Wire.

Logan Taylor, three, and Jake Casey, two, were killed during the blaze in Alder Street last February.

West Yorkshire Police said at the time that it appeared to be a “tragic accident” but they would continue to work with the fire service until the full circumstances were established.

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Now, almost a year on, the force has issued an appeal for members of the public to donate TV sets for a reconstruction.

Today it was revealed that the only item needed to make the reconstruction complete was a 42 in rear projection Samsung TV of one of the following models: HCM4216W, HCM4216H, HCM4215W, HCM422W or SP42W5HF. 

A spokesman said: "The TVs are only required to furnish the room to replicate the furniture in the home and will be destroyed in the reconstruction."

The blaze was believed to have started in the front bedroom of the semi-detached house at around 2.15pm on February 20.

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The children's mother and older brother managed to escaped before firefighters arrived.

A rescuer, thought to be a neighbour, tried to get in by climbing on a veranda at the back of the house but it was firefighters using breathing apparatus who eventually reached the two younger boys.

They were taken to Huddersfield Royal Infirmary but could not be saved.

A police spokesman said at the time that there were not thought to be any suspicious circumstances.

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He said: "Police are continuing to work closely with colleagues from West Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service in investigating this incident, which appears at this stage to be a tragic accident.

“Police will maintain oversight until the full findings of the investigation are confirmed.”

Anyone who has one of the Samsung TV models, or knows anyone who could help, is asked to contact Det Con Emma Forber or Det Con Simon Thomas via Huddersfield CID, on 101 quoting reference number 13160075908.