Tributes have been paid to a nine-year-old girl and her father who at the weekend. Emergency services were called to a at a home in Heckmondwike, West , on Sunday morning.

An adult male and two young girls had been removed from the home by firefighters. The girls, aged nine and 11, were both taken to for treatment. Despite receiving medical attention, the male was pronounced dead at the scene. Tragically, the younger girl passed away in hospital later on Sunday - and the 11-year-old child remains in a critical condition. An investigation is ongoing to establish the cause of the fire.

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Police were initially called at 6.19am on Sunday morning by the fire service to an address on Russell Close to a report of an ongoing house fire. Since news of their deaths were announced, tributes have been flooding in.

One local said: "Our thoughts and prayers are with all the victims and their extended families and friends at this difficult time." Another said: "My heart and thoughts go out to their family and friends at this heartbreaking time. Really hope the other girl makes a full recovery."

After the tragedy, Councillor Ali Arshad, who represents Heckmondwike on Kirklees Council as a member of the Kirklees Community Independents Group said: "It's a tragedy beyond words. This is a really close-knit community and everyone is very upset at what has happened - at this very sad time, people are pulling together to support one another. My thoughts - everyone's thoughts - are with the family and all those affected."

Neighbours have revealed that the mother who lived inside the now-burnt property is believed to be overseas on a pilgrimage. According to locals living in Heckmondwike, the mother is currently in Mecca, reports Yorkshire Live.

One resident said: "His wife is abroad for the pilgrimage. It's traumatic - really distressing for the whole street. It's a young family. They have lived here a couple of years - a really good family. It's sad to see what's happened."

Police and investigators remained at the scene this morning. A two-storey semi-detached terrace house remains cordoned off while a blue tent was raised at the front of the property.

Two firefighters have also been seen inspecting what appears to be a washing machine in the house's back garden. Detective Inspector Paul Greatorex of Kirklees CID, 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."

West Yorkshire Fire Service said: "We were called at 06.11 yesterday to reports of a house fire on Russell Close in Heckmondwike. We sent four crews (2x Dewsbury, Spen Valley and Morley).

"Firefighters retrieved three people from within the property, two of whom were taken to hospital by ambulance. Our fire investigators are working with police to establish the circumstances of the fire."