A father who was killed in a house fire in Penistone with his nine-year-old son died as a result of the blaze, police have confirmed.

Darren Sykes, 44, and his son Paul were pronounced dead at hospital after being rescued from their home in Tennyson Close, last Wednesday night.

Penistone house fire victim Paul Sykes
Penistone house fire victim Paul Sykes

Mr Sykes’s older son Jack, 12, remains in a critical condition after the blaze, which police said was started deliberately.

Jack Sykes, 12, critically injured in Penistone house blaze
Jack Sykes, 12, critically injured in Penistone house blaze

 A South Yorkshire Police spokeswoman said: “A post-mortem examination carried out yesterday revealed Mr Sykes’s cause of death was compatible with the effects of the fire.

“Further tests are to be carried out on Paul to establish the cause of death.

“The fire is being treated as suspicious but police are not looking for anyone else in connection with the incident.

“Initial investigations suggest the fire was started deliberately.”

South Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service said firefighters found a “fully developed fire throughout the house” when they arrived at around 6.30pm on Wednesday.

Police declined to comment on whether a substance had been used to accelerate the spread of the blaze.

Paul was a pupil at Springvale Primary School, in Penistone.

Head Andy Platt said: “Following the recent tragic events in Penistone, all of us at Springvale Primary School wish to offer our heartfelt condolences to the family and friends of Paul Sykes at this very difficult time

“Paul was an outgoing, popular boy who was blossoming into a fine runner and cornet player. He will be greatly missed.

“The pupils and staff at Springvale are being very well supported, both by an experienced team of specialists from Barnsley Council and members of the wider community.”

His brother Jack is a pupil at Penistone Grammar School. Its principal, Jo Higgins, said: “As a school community, our hearts go out to the Sykes family and we offer sincere condolences for the tragic circumstances that they have experienced.

“We are all thinking of Jack who is in hospital, and he has many caring friends in our school community.

“We are ensuring that all of our students are being supported at this very difficult time.”