A mother rescued from a blaze at her home with her three young children today appeared before Bradford Magistrates accused of arson with intent to endanger life.

Hall, 37, was rescued by firemen after becoming overcome with smoke following a blaze at her home in Windhill, Shipley.

Her three children - Helen, 14, Alex, 12 and seven-year-old Elise - were pulled from the blaze by firefighters wearing breathing apparatus through a bedroom window.

Two crews from Shipley fire station were called to the house in West Royd Avenue, Windhill, shortly before midnight on Wednesday.

Hall was arrested and questioned following the fire and was charged with the arson offence yesterday.

During the five minute hearing this morning Hall spoke only to give her address to the court.

Her solicitor Alistair Bateman did not make any application for bail on her behalf and the magistrates remanded her in custody to appear before them again on October 14.

Reporting restrictions were not lifted.

Neighbour Jean Ewan, 41, who looked after the three children after the fire said: "It's terrible to have a fire in a house with three wee kids in it.

"I shudder to think what could have happened if it was at two in the morning.

"It was terrifying and standing there watching helplessly, the children screaming for help at the window, was heartbreaking.

"It's the kids that are everyone's concern now."

Fergus Ewan said: "It's a shame for the children because they're lovely kids.

"Everybody on the estate is upset for them and everyone is rallying around.

"The children themselves seem quite well and happy but it may be that the shock of what's happened might set in at a later date."

Next door neighbour Debbie Appleby said: "I thought they were being broken into when I first heard the breaking glass.

"When I went out they had Melanie laid out on the grass in front of the house."

Another neighbour Alison Hayton said: "The kids were all crying up at the window and in a right state."

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