Body found after fire investigation in West Yorkshire as police release update

Officers investigating a fire in Batley from earlier this week have discovered a body.

Police were alerted to reports of a large fire at a building on the corner of Warwick Road and Mount Street by West Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service just after 3am on Saturday August 15.

The cause of fire has not yet been established and a scene remains in place while enquiries are ongoing, police said.

Work is continuing to formally identify the deceased.

Detective Chief Inspector James Entwistle, of the Homicide and Major Enquiry Team, said: “Our enquiries at the scene remain ongoing and, as part of those investigations, officers have sadly located a body within the building.

“I understand this development will be concerning for local residents and the wider community. I would like to reassure the public that a dedicated team of officers and specialist investigators are working diligently to establish the full circumstances surrounding the fire and determine exactly what has taken place.

“Work is continuing to formally identify the deceased and we will provide further updates as soon as we are in a position to do so.

“This remains a complex investigation and I would urge anyone who may have witnessed anything unusual, has information about the incident or location, or possesses CCTV, dashcam or mobile phone footage from the area, to contact us. What may seem like a small piece of information could prove vital in helping us establish the facts.”

Anyone with information, or anyone who may have CCTV footage, is asked to contact West Yorkshire Police via 101 or online at https://www.westyorkshire.police.uk/LiveChat quoting reference 13260464916.