Stepfather held after two-year-old girl dies in farm blaze

Police arrested the 37-year-old following the death of Isobel June Dobson, who was sitting in a van with her one-year-old stepsister when fire broke out in a barn being used to store hay at Hessle Farm in Wragby, near Wakefield, on Friday evening.

The arrested man, who is from South Elmsall, West Yorkshire, is understood to be the stepfather of Isobel and the natural father of the one-year-old girl.

Both he and the one-year-old child were treated in hospital for burns but were discharged on Saturday.

He was arrested on suspicion of murder and attempted murder.

The 37-year-old was visiting the farm and riding stables with the 22-year-old mother of the two children.

On Saturday police said the man had tried to save both girls but could not rescue Isobel.

Witnesses said the fire spread quickly, engulfing two barns and the nearby van.

A police spokesman said the fire was being treated as suspicious and witnesses were urged to contact the Homicide and Major Enquiry Team.