Dad & daughter, 9, killed in horror house fire while mum ‘away on trip' are named – as sister fighting for life
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THE dad and daughter, 9, who were killed in a horror house fire have been named, as tributes pour in.
The blaze that ripped through the house in Yorkshire killed Sohaib Ahmed, aged 38, and his daughter Manahal Ahmed, aged nine.
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The fire service is working with the police to establish the cause of the fire.
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The horror blaze tore through a property in the market town of Heckmondwike
Credit: PA
It also saw the little girl's 11-year-old sister rushed to hospital and she remains in critical condition.
Enquiries into the fire remain ongoing by Kirklees District Police on behalf of the coroner.
This comes after it emerged the mother of the family had been on a trip when the tragedy unfolded.
Neighbours told The Sun that the mum-of-three was away on a religious pilgrimage to Mecca in Saudi Arabia, and she is returning home today.
Pictures of the scene show firefighters investigating what looks like a burnt-out tumble dryer.
The fire service is working with the police to establish the cause of the fire.
Emergency services were called to the scene, in the market town of Heckmondwike, at 6.19am on Sunday morning.
West Yorkshire Fire Service said it sent four crews and firefighters pulled a man and two young girls out of the burning building.
Despite the best efforts of paramedics, the dad died at the scene.
Both girls were rushed to hospital, where the youngest sadly died later that day.
The father, a taxi driver, was looking after their three children - two daughters and a son - as his wife was away.
Their eldest was staying with relatives on Saturday night so he was not inside the red-brick semi detached house in the quiet cul de sac when the fire took hold.
Cops said they don't believe there are suspicious circumstances surrounding the tragedy.
Former neighbours Andy Boys, 30, and Mehvish Iqbal, 29, came to lay floral tributes outside the fire damaged house.
Mehvish said: 'My son used to play outside with her little girl, the one that has passed away. It is just awful.
'To know that the mother is away in Mecca and she is coming back to this, I don't know how she is going to deal with it mentally.
'The girls are lovely little girls, I pray that her older sister pulls through.'
Andy said: 'They were lovely neighbours, we lived next door.'
A number of floral tributes have been left outside the house.
Another neighbour said: 'I heard sirens on Sunday morning and then looked out to see the smoke and the emergency crews doing CPR on the dad and kids.
'It seemed to go on forever, it was horrendous.'
Another neighbour said: 'The Mum was away in Saudi Arabia for Hajj. I've been told she is coming back today. My heart breaks for her.
'I know their eldest son was stopping elsewhere with a relative when the fire started.
'The Dad is a taxi driver and such a nice man. It's is devastating for everybody and we just hope the other little girl survives.'
Detective Inspector Paul Greatorex said: "We are continuing to work with colleagues at the fire service to investigate this dreadfully sad incident which has resulted in a father and daughter losing their lives.
"Extensive enquiries have been ongoing since yesterday and we have been working to locate and support relatives of the victims both here and outside of the UK at what is clearly an awful time for the family.
"While our enquiries remain ongoing we do not believe there are any suspicious circumstances regarding the cause of the fire and will be preparing a file for the coroner in due course.
"Our support for the family involved clearly also still continues."
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Flowers left at the scene on Russell Close in Heckmondwike
Credit: PA
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Emergency services were called to the property at 6.19am on Sunday morning
Credit: PA
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