A murder investigation

A murder investigation has been launched after a husband and wife were found dead alongside their two young sons in a house in Leeds, police have said.

Detectives are thought to be working on the theory that the deaths were a case of murder-suicide. No-one else is being sought by police.

Flower tributes have been left outside the police cordon

The family have been named locally as Richard and Clair Smith, aged 37 and 36, and their boys Ben, nine, and one-year-old Aaron.
Emergency services were called to the cul-de-sac property in the Pudsey area of Leeds on Sunday afternoon after police were alerted by, it is thought, Mrs Smith's family.
The bodies were found in an upstairs bedroom which had been damaged by fire, police said.
The cause of the fire has not been confirmed, but Sky's Gerard Tubb said a brown residue on the wall of the bedroom initially prompted fears that a chemical might be involved so hazardous substance experts were called in.
"It quickly became apparent that this wasn't anything other than murder and then suicide - police have not confirmed this," Tubb said.

Chemical hazard team at the scene (Pic: Twitter user @HRWorstPractice)

The house in Sheridan Way has been sealed off while police try to work out the circumstances leading up to the deaths. Post-mortem examinations are set to take place later.
Detective Superintendent Paul Taylor, of West Yorkshire Police's Homicide and Major Enquiry Team, said: "Initially we had concerns regarding the release of harmful chemicals or gases.
"Following testing, we no longer have any concerns with regards to those working at the scene and we will continue our investigations today."
Neighbours said the people living in the modern, stone-built house were a family who had moved in a few months ago.

family friend: there was no sign anything was wrong

One woman, who laid flowers at the police cordon, said her children went to school with one of the boys.
She said: "It's terrible. From what I saw of them, they were very fun-loving, kind and caring - full of life."
Another woman leaving tributes at the scene said they were a "lovely family".
The house had a broken lounge window - the only other sign of anything out of the ordinary. Family photographs could be seen inside and two cars were parked outside.
:: Anyone with information about the incident is asked to call police on 01924 334 741.