Man arrested over fatal farm fire

A 37-year-old Wakefield man is being questioned in connection with the blaze in which Isobel Dobson, 2, died on Friday A 37-year-old man has been arrested in connection with a fire at a farm which claimed the life of a two-year-old girl. The man is being questioned in connection with the blaze at Hessle Farm, Wragby, near Wakefield, West Yorkshire, in which Isobel Dobson died on Friday evening. West Yorkshire Police said on Sunday that the fire was now being treated as suspicious and inquiries were ongoing to determine the cause. A police spokesman said: “A 37-year-old Wakefield man has now been arrested in connection with the incident and is currently in police custody. “Inquiries into the cause of the fire, which is now being treated as suspicious, are ongoing and a joint investigation is being carried out by West Yorkshire Police and West Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service.” Emergency services were called to the blaze at about 5.30pm on Friday and found a van and two barns ablaze on their arrival. Isobel and her one-year-old half-sister were in the van when the fire broke out. Isobel’s 37-year-old stepfather and 22-year-old mother rescued the baby from the vehicle but were beaten back by flames and injured as they tried to unsuccessfully to free the little girl. Her body was found on Friday night and police confirmed she had died. A police spokesman said on Saturday: “Isobel and her one-year-old half-sister were in the van when the fire broke out and, despite efforts by her 37-year-old stepfather and mother, they were only able to rescue the one-year-old girl before being beaten back by the flames and injured.” Police said the man and the baby received treatment for burns at Pinderfields hospital in Wakefield overnight and were later discharged. The spokesman added: “The family have asked the media to respect their privacy at this very difficult time.” The family were at the farm tending to a horse before the fire broke out. Ten fire engines were sent to the scene at the height of the huge blaze and firefighters remained at the farm on Saturday. Police are appealing for any witnesses, or anyone with information that they feel could assist the investigation, to contact the Homicide and Major Inquiry Team via 0845 6060606 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111. Crime guardian.co.uk

Posted by on October 2, 2011. Filed under News, Politics, World News. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. You can skip to the end and leave a response. Pinging is currently not allowed.