Father died trying to save his girl in house fire that killed them both – and cops believe fire was arson attack
Family members paid tribute to the pair killed in the horrific house fire with investigators now at the scene
A FATHER ran into his burning home in a vain attempt to save his eight-year-old daughter from a blaze that claimed both their lives - with police now treating their deaths as suspicious.
Dad Andy Broadhead and eight-year-old Kiera were caught in the blaze that tore through the semi-detached red brick home in Ash Crescent, Stanley, with wife Sara, 35, and eldest daughter Mia, 13, managing to escape.
Police have revealed they are now treating the incident as a murder inquiry with Detective Chief Inspector Nicola Bryar of West Yorkshire Police saying: "This is a terrible incident which has robbed a family of a husband and their youngest daughter. Following inquiries, we are now treating it as a murder inquiry.
"The seat of the fire appears to have been by the front door and we are investigating the possibility that an accelerant was poured through the letter box."
She said police now believed dad Andy Broadhead had managed to get out of the burning home but returned to try to save his youngest daughter.
Mother Sara and eldest daughter Mia, 13, managed to escape the burning home through a bedroom window.
Det Insp Bryar said that police were now hunting for anyone involved in the incident, saying a suspect could have been burnt themselves.
She said: "We know that this fire took hold extremely quickly and it is possible that the person who set this fire was themselves burned in doing so.
"Have you seen anyone with burns or burn injuries in the last 24 hours in circumstances which you found suspicious?
"If so, then please contact us as a matter of urgency."
Both Andy, 42, and Kiera were killed in the early morning fire, with Sara and Mia being taken to hospital for treatment.
RELATED STORIES
The family had only just returned from a holiday in Spain with Andrew's parents, Alan and Jean Broadhead - returning the day before the fire.
The devastated grandparents, both 68, said they had been left heart-broken.
Alan said: "We have just come back from holiday. We were all on holiday together in Spain, but (Jean and I) stayed longer.
His voice breaking, he said: "It is such a shock. It was very difficult to hear the news when we were abroad. We lost a son and a granddaughter."
He said his wife was struggling with the news, saying both could not believe what had happened.
It is such a shock... We lost a son and a granddaughter
Alan Broadhead
Friends have also spoken of their shock with neighbour and family friend Graham Morton saying: "People are just shocked, Andy were a good friend of mine.
"Andy were a great bloke, you wouldn't find a better lad."
He added: "He were a phenomenal guy, he was a great guy, a fantastic father."
When asked if he thought Mr Broadhead had tried to save his daughter, Mr Morton said: "I'll ask you the same question, if you daughter was in a house fire what would you do?
"Apparently two were out and two were stuck."
He said little Kiera, who died in the fire was "a very funny child".
Graham said: "The little girls were both a little pair of petite, adorable, loving, pleasant, kids."
Another neighbour Ethel Parkinson said the family had "everything going for them.
Lofthouse Gate Working Mens Club also paid tribute to the family, saying: "The secretary and committee would like to offer their sincere condolences to the Broadhead family on the sudden death of Andrew Broadhead and his little daughter Kiera.
"Lovely people who will be sadly missed".
Mr Broadhead reportedly worked as a rail engineer at the Neville Hill Train Maintenance Depot in Leeds.
A spokesperson for Northern Rail told : "We were deeply shocked and saddened to hear that one of our colleagues has died following a fire.
"We will be supporting the Northern team at Neville Hill Train Maintenance Depot while they come to terms with this terrible news.
"Our thoughts are with his family and friends at this difficult time."
There was obvious smoke damage to the windows on the top floor of the property, with some of the glass shattered and blackened.
West Yorkshire Police said emergency services had been called to the house about 4.20am on Wednesday.
Chief Superintendent Mabs Hussain, District Commander of Wakefield Police, said: "This is clearly a very serious and tragic incident in which a man and a young girl have lost their lives.
"Their family are absolutely devastated by what has taken place and we are working to support them in any way we can."
He said that the fire would cause "great shock" to locals in the Stanley area.
He said: "We are working closely with the fire service to determine the cause of this fire and those enquiries are at an early stage."
Authorities are now calling on anyone who might have information to contact police on 101 or the independent crime fighting charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.
We pay for your stories! Do you have a story for The Sun Online news team? Email us at [email protected] or call 0207 782 4368