Two-year-old girl dies trapped in van after fire engulfs farm

A TWO-year-old girl has died after she was trapped in a burning van during a fire at a farm.

Isobel June Dobson was in the van with her one-year-old stepsister when the fire broke out at Hessle Farm, in Wragby, near Wakefield, West Yorkshire, at around 5.30pm on Friday.

Her mother and 37-year-old stepfather rescued the baby girl from the vehicle but were unable to get to Isobel before being beaten back by the flames, West Yorkshire Police said.

Emergency services found that two barns and a van parked nearby were ablaze on their arrival at the scene.

A police spokesman said: “Isobel and her one-year-old stepsister were in the van when the fire broke out and, despite efforts by her 37-year-old stepfather and mother, they were only able to rescue the one-year-old girl before being beaten back by the flames and injured.

“The family, including the girl’s 22-year-old mum, had been at the farm tending to a horse before the fire broke out.”

Police said the man and the baby received treatment for burns at Pinderfields hospital in Wakefield overnight and had now been discharged.

The spokesman added: “The family have asked the media to respect their privacy at this very difficult time.”

The fire is not believed to be suspicious. Assistant Chief Fire Officer Martyn Redfearn, of West Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service, 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.”