A WOMAN aged 59 has been killed in a house blaze.

Police said today that the fire last night was being treated as suspicious and a 65-year-old man had been arrested.

The victim is believed to be Mrs Sandra Appleyard, who had lived at the house for most of her life, as it was her parents' home.

Firefighters went to College Street in Crosland Moor just before 10.30pm to find a serious fire in a bedroom and a large group of people outside the house.

A ladder had been put up against a window in an attempt to save the woman. Firefighters wearing breathing apparatus went into the burning home and found her in a bedroom.

She was carried outside and taken to Huddersfield Royal Infirmary, where she was pronounced dead.

Sub-officer Alan Woodcock, of Huddersfield fire station, said: "When we arrived smoke was coming out of a bedroom window and there was a ladder up to it.

"We were told there was a lady still upstairs.

"We sent in two firefighters wearing breathing apparatus to carry out a search and rescue, then sent in a further two.

"They found the woman in the bedroom and brought her out," added Sub-officer Woodcock.

He said the house had no smoke detectors. The fire is thought to have started in the bedroom. There was severe smoke damage to the entire upstairs at the terrace house.

A police spokeswoman said: "The fire is being treated as suspicious and a 65-year-old local man has been arrested in connection with the incident.

"He will be spoken to by officers at Huddersfield police station today.

"The scene has been secured for forensic examination."

Neighbour Mrs Edith Jenkinson, 88, said: "I've known Sandra since she was a little girl. Her parents lived there, and when they died she and her husband moved back into the house.

"She tended to keep herself to herself, but she and her husband, Brian, did have nights out at the local club. It's a tragedy."

Another neighbour said: "I heard the commotion, but it seemed to be all over in minutes. It is awful that someone has died."