A FATHER-OF-TWO who had recently split from his wife has died in a house fire, along with his younger son.
Darren Sykes, 44, and son Paul David, nine, were pronounced dead at the scene. His other son, Jack, 12, is fighting for his life in hospital in Manchester.
Police say circumstances surrounding the blaze at the family home are suspicious but they are not seeking anyone else in connection.
All three were found upstairs in the semi-detached property at Tennyson Close, Penistone, by fire-fighters who were called at 6.30pm on Wednesday after neighbours who had spotted smoke puthering from the house. There are fears the fire was started deliberately.
Neighbours said they believed the house had been locked during the fire.
They confirmed that the two children and and their mother Claire Sykes did not live with Mr Sykes at the property.
Steve Helps, area manager for South Yorkshire Fire and Rescue, said: "It's a devastating fire for the local community and our thoughts and prayers go out to them.
"One adult and one child were pronounced dead at the scene and one further child has been moved through hospitals to get care following his injuries.
"The fire-fighters from Penistone who first attended live and work within the local community and acted very professionally under very harrowing circumstances."
Fire crews and four engines from across South Yorkshire attended the blaze.
** The full story is in the Barnsley Chronicle, dated October 24. **
