Man linked to father is quizzed over blaze deaths

Aleena Shah, 10, and her brother Aman, eight, died after a blaze ripped through their home in the early hours of Tuesday.

Their mother Iram Shah, 30, who was badly injured when she jumped from an upstairs window, remained in a critical condition yesterday at Pinderfields Hospital, Wakefield.

A 21-year-old man arrested on Tuesday, who is believed to know the children's father Zaheer Shah, was still in custody last night.

Post-mortem investigations were carried out yesterday afternoon to determine how the children died.

Det Supt Bill Shackleton, of West Yorkshire Police, who is leading the investigation, said: "I am continuing my appeal for anyone with information about the fire to come forward.

"It is essential we piece together what happened and how two young children lost their lives.

"I would particularly like to speak to anyone who may have information about anyone buying petrol in small cans in the Bradford area either on Monday evening or into the early hours of Tuesday."

The blaze, described as "extremely severe" by firefighters, gutted the house in Hendford Drive, in the Pollard Park area of the city.