Parents' Desperate Bid To Save Girl In Fire

A two-year-old girl who was trapped in a burning van has been killed despite her mother and stepfather's desperate efforts to save her.

The child, Isobel June Dobson, was in the vehicle with her one-year-old stepsister when the fire broke out at a farm in West Yorkshire around 5:30pm on Friday.

Her 22-year-old mother and stepfather, 37, rescued the younger girl but were unable to get to Isobel as they were beaten back by flames, police said.

The man and the baby were treated for burns at Pinderfields hospital in Wakefield overnight and have now been discharged.

A police spokesman said: "The family, including the girl's 22-year-old mum, had been at the farm tending to a horse before the fire broke out."

Emergency services were called to the fire at Hessle Farm, in Wragby, near Wakefield, and found a van and three barns ablaze.

West Yorkshire Fire Service received calls from the scene itself and from surrounding villages.

Isobel was later found dead in the van.

Assistant Chief Fire Officer Martyn Redfearn said: "Our condolences go out to the family and friends of the child.

"The firefighters worked very hard and were very moved dealing with this scene, as we always are dealing with tragedies like this."

Roads around the isolated farm were cordoned off as 10 fire engines tackled the blaze, which is not believed to be suspicious.

Mr Redfearn said the blaze was now "substantially" out.

But more than 12 hours after it started, fire crews were still dealing with it.

Up to 80 firefighters were called to deal with the incident and had to pump water a mile and a half down country lanes.

Closed roads have now been re-opened although a lane leading to Hessle Farm remained sealed off.

Forensic officers were examining the scene.