Fatal fire: second person arrested

Two survivors were critically ill in hospital following the blaze at around 8pm on Friday in Albert Road, Sheffield.

Forensics experts were at the scene throughout the day while fire brigade specialists and detectives worked to establish the cause of the fire which started in the downstairs of the mid-terraced house.

It was believed two people jumped through windows to escape the smoke and fire, while firefighters in breathing apparatus pulled two from inside the property. Two of the occupants died at the scene, while the other two were taken to hospital.

South Yorkshire Police were trying to trace relatives of the dead and injured, and were not ready to identify the people involved. Earlier, the force announced one person was helping police with inquiries, and the spokeswoman later said a second person was in custody.

The road in the Heeley area was closed throughout the night and on Saturday while police recovered an "amount of evidence", the spokeswoman said.

The force hoped to be ready to release the cause of the fire later. Five fire crews were called to the house and by the time they arrived it was well ablaze, police said.

Some officers who dealt with the fire returned to the scene to assist the police investigation.

Fire Service watch manager Steve Womack, of Central Fire Station, said neighbours were evacuated.

He told the Sheffield Star newspaper: "It is one of the most serious fires I have dealt with in a long time. It started in the downstairs front room and spread to the whole of the house."