A man has been arrested on suspicion of murder after a woman and three children died in a house fire in Bradford.

Police were called in the early hours of Wednesday morning by firefighters responding to a fire at a building on Westbury Road.

Detectives from West Yorkshire Police said initial investigations suggested the fire was deliberately set.

A 29-year-old woman was pronounced dead at the scene, while three children – two girls aged nine and one and a five-year-old boy – were taken to hospital. All three children later succumbed to injuries sustained in the fire.

A 39-year-old man was arrested at the scene on suspicion of murder and taken to hospital with life-threatening injuries. He remained hospitalized with serious injuries caused by the fire, police said.

DCI Stacey Atkinson, of West Yorkshire Police’s Homicide and Investigation Team, said: “This is an absolutely devastating incident in which three children and a woman have lost their lives. Our thoughts are with their family, friends and loved ones.”

“Initial investigations revealed that the fire was deliberately set and we have arrested a man on suspicion of murder. He is today seriously ill in hospital due to injuries sustained in the fire.”

She added: “We are appealing to anyone who was in the area at the time of the incident or who has CCTV or doorbell footage to come forward.

“Specially trained officers are supporting the family and we are working with local neighbourhood officers to investigate and ensure safety in the area.”

Anyone who sees anything suspicious is asked to call the police on 101.