Fire may have killed wrong victim

Lea Brooke, 81, may not have been the intended victim

An 81-year-old woman who was killed in a fire in West Yorkshire may have been the victim of mistaken identity, police have said.

Lea Brooke died after a blaze broke out at her home at Sandal Grange Farm, Walton Lane, in Wakefield last Monday.

Det Supt Dave Pervin said Mrs Brooke lived with her 45-year-old son Howard, who operated a construction business from the same address.

Mr Pervin said it was possible Mr Brooke could have been the target.

He added it was possible that "unfortunately Mrs Brooke got caught up in this".

Police said someone poured flammable liquids through the letter box and started the fire which gutted the building.

Mr Pervin said: "Whoever did this may have burned themselves or their clothing during the act, or they could possibly have a smell of accelerant on their clothing."