India, June 9 -- A nine-year-old girl has died and an 11-year-old girl is in a critical condition after a fire which also claimed the life of a man.

The pair died after the blaze broke out in Heckmondwike, West Yorkshire, on Sunday, police said. Medics tried to save the man's life, but he died at the scene on Russell Close, and the young girl was taken to the hospital but died later that day.

The 11-year-old girl was also taken to the hospital, where she remains. West Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service said it sent four crews to tackle the fire, which was reported at around 6 am.

Det Insp Paul Greatorex, of West Yorkshire Police, said: "We are continuing to work with colleagues at the fire service to investigate this dreadfully sad inci...