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.
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.
"We will be supporting the Northern team at Neville Hill Train Maintenance Depot while they come to terms with this terrible news.
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