A moving tribute has been paid to two “kind and helpful” children who died in a fire at their home in Bradford.

Alina and Aman Shah lost their lives when the blaze ripped through their family home, in Hendford Drive, Pollard Park earlier this week.

Their mother Irum, 30, last night remained critically ill in Pinderfields Hospital, Wakefield.

The children attended Byron Primary School in Barkerend Road, Bradford.

Head teacher Richard O’Sullivan has released a statement to express their grief at the loss of Alina, aged ten, and her brother Aman, eight.

Mr O’Sullivan said: “The sad news of the tragic deaths of Alina and Aman Shah has come as a huge shock to the entire school community. We send our deepest most heartfelt condolences to the family. They are in our thoughts and prayers at this sad time.”

He explained that their loss was being felt keenly by both children and staff.

“Alina and Aman were two lovely children, they both had many friends and their teachers praise them for their excellent attitude to school,” he said.

“Both Alina and Aman had a reputation for kindness and for being friendly and helpful. Alina had only recently won a writing competition in school and Aman was looking forward to being in Year Four and joining lots of clubs. They were both hard working and successful students.

“Alina and Aman will be greatly missed by everyone at Byron Primary School.”

Post-mortem examinations carried out on Wednesday have confirmed that the children died as a result of the inhalation of fumes.

Detectives investigating the circumstances surrounding the tragic fire, which broke out in the early hours of Tuesday, were last night continuing to question a 21-year-old man on suspicion of murder.

Since the incident, West Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Services has dispatched community safety staff and firefighters to visit homes in and around Hendford Drive, providing home fire safety advice and reassurance to residents.

Some 88 free home fire safety checks, which involves the fitting of free smoke alarms, have been completed at properties so far.

Anyone with information about the fire should contact West Yorkshire Police’s Homicide and Major Enquiry Team on (01274) 376575. Alternatively send a text message to 07786 200805, starting the message with the word FIRE.