Image appeal in fire death probe

The car was travelling towards Barnsley Road

Images showing a man and a car near the scene of an arson attack which claimed the life of an 81-year-old woman have been released by police.

Lea Brooke, 81, died after a blaze broke out at her home in Sandal Grange Farm, Walton Lane in Wakefield in the early hours of Monday, 10 November.

Detectives believe she may have been a victim of mistaken identity.

One image shows a white Peugeot car on Walton Lane and another captures a man walking close to Mrs Brooke's home.

The images were taken from cameras fitted on fire engines which were called to the address. Both are timed at 0144 GMT on 10 November.

The Peugeot is seen to be travelling in the direction of Barnsley Road and appears to turn left into Ashdale.

'Vital information'

The man is captured walking along Walton Lane, towards Barnsley Road, on the pavement close to the turning into Sandal Grange Farm.

The man is seen close to the turning into Mrs Brooke's home

Det Supt Dave Pervin, of West Yorkshire Police's Homicide and Major Enquiry Team, said: "These images are taken just minutes after the fire was reported to the emergency services using cameras fitted to fire service appliances responding to the fire.

"We are not saying that these two people have anything to do with the fire, but they may have vital information which could help our enquiry.

"Obviously at this time of night not many people are out and about so I would like to identify the driver of this car and the walker to see if they can help us in any way.

"They cannot have failed to see the activity and sirens in the area at the time."

Mr Pervin earlier said that Mrs Brooke's 45-year-old son Howard, may have been the intended target.

He said Mrs Brooke lived with her son, who operated a construction business from the same address.