Neighbours of the scene of a murder in Bradford have told of their horror after a man's body was reportedly discovered charred.
Detectives launched a murder probe on Wednesday after the grim discovery at a house on a residential close. Residents on the quiet cul-de-sac claimed the occupants had been reclusive and hadn't been seen for some time.
West Yorkshire Police said on Wednesday that two people - a man and woman - had been arrested in connection with the mysterious death, adding that they weren't looking for anyone else in connection. Detectives said efforts were underway to confirm the man's identity.
Neighbours on the street told reporters the scene had been "like a horror movie". One man, named only as Mohammed, was alerted to shouts that a "body was on fire". "There was smoke coming from the garden but we couldn't get in because the gate was bolted shut," he told Daily Mail.
"We tried to force the gate open and we could see blood and that a mangled body was there. I couldn't believe it, it was like something out of a horror film. You don't expect anything like that to happen here."
Fire services were also called to the scene just before 4pm on Shetland Close, Bradford, on Wednesday afternoon, putting out "a small fire inside the property". "At this time, police can confirm that the body is that of an adult male, but priority enquiries are ongoing to formally identify the man and trace his next of kin," a spokesperson said.
A 52-year-old woman and a man aged 26 were both arrested on suspicion of murder and remained in custody on Wednesday evening. Detectives meanwhile urged against people speculating about the man's death.
Detective Chief Inspector Matt Holdsworth, of West Yorkshire Police’s Homicide and Major Enquiry Team, said: “From the information known at this time, we are treating this as a murder investigation. My team are working to establish the circumstances that led to the man’s death.
“We have two people in custody and are not looking for anyone else in connection with this incident. This has taken place in what is usually a quiet residential street.
“I understand that this incident has caused concern in the wider community and there is a lot of speculation about what has taken place and those involved. We need anyone with information to be passing that on to us.
“We are conducting house to house enquiries and CCTV trawls in the area, and I would urge anyone with information, who has not already spoken to the police, to please make contact. The property backs on to Goals sports complex, King’s Road, Bradford, and we are also urging anyone who was using the pitches yesterday afternoon who may have seen or heard anything out of the ordinary to please report it.”