House Fire: Mother And Four Children Dead

Police are investigating a suspected arson attack on a house in Essex that left four children and their mother dead.

The victims - named as Sabah Usmani and her sons Sohaib, 13, and Rayyan, six, and 11-year-old daughter Hira - all died in the blaze in Barn Mead, Harlow, in the early hours.

A nine-year-old boy, Muneeb, was rescued with his three-year-old sister Maheen. Both were taken to the town's Princess Alexandra Hospital in a critical condition but Muneeb died later.

Meheen remains critical and has been transferred to a specialist burns unit at the Broomfield hospital in Chelmsford.

The children's father, Dr Abdul Shakour, works at the Princess Alexandra Hospital where he is being treated for minor burns and smoke inhalation. His condition is described as stable.

He apparently escaped the fire by jumping from a first-floor window and is said by police to have "fought hard to save his family in appalling conditions"

Dr Shakour and his wife Sabah Usmani

Assistant Chief Constable Gary Beautridge said: "In the history of Essex Police, seldom has there been an incident of this gravity, in which five people,four of them children, have lost their lives.

"I would like to stress that the father of these children was in the property at the time and fought hard to save his family in appalling conditions."

Mr Beautridge said Dr Shakour was "in severe shock", adding:"Our work with Mr Shakour to establish some of the facts of this case will, inevitably, take time because of the emotional trauma he has suffered."

One neighbour told Sky News Dr Shakour was in his dressing gown, screaming "Get my family out" and had to be physically restrained from going inside the house.

Emergency services were called to Barn Mead at 1.48am. They found a burning car and an end-of-terrace house "engulfed" with flames coming out of the front and back doors.

Firefighters wearing breathing equipment battled "punishing" conditions inside before pulling out six people, Chief Fire Officer David Johnson, from Essex Fire and Rescue, told Sky News.

It is believed the fire started downstairs.

A torched car was found close to the burning house

Mr Johnson said: "The first crews that arrived were actually confronted initially by a car that was alight so thought they were dealing with a car fire, but almost immediately became aware that there was a very developed house fire almost adjacent to where the car fire was.

"It was a very, very hot, intense fire."

Because of the ferocity of the flames, detectives are investigating whether it was started with some kind of fuel. The house has been sealed off for forensic examination.

Although the blazing Ford car found nearby was not connected with the family, it is also being treated as arson. Mr Johnson said it was highly likely the two fires were related.

Next-door neighbour Sharon Pavey said: "I saw flames coming out of the back window and dialled 999 but they were already on their way.

"The flames and smoke were billowing out and we could tell it was very serious."

Police have cordoned off the scene

Parvez Hamid, 43, and Safia Anwar, 38, have known Dr Shakour and his wife since they moved to the area in 2011.

The family were originally from Karachi, Pakistan, but lived for more than a decade in Saudi Arabia before moving to Manchester and then Harlow.

Mrs Usmani was also a doctor, although she stayed at home and cared for the children.

Mrs Anwar said: "They were a wonderful family. The children were best friends with our own.

"We would seem them at mosque and at the school gates. They were just such a lovely family.

"I last saw Sabah on Friday. She seemed normal with no worries at all.

"I heard what happened from a friend who lived nearby. It has come as such a shock to us all and it is still sinking in. We are absolutely devastated."

Officers are asking for anyone with information to contact them

Mr Hamid said: "There children were so well behaved and I was always envious that mine weren't the same.

"They were hardworking parents who will be missed. The Asian community is very tight knit in this area and we are all in shock."

Workers at the Princess Alexandra Hospital have told Sky News Dr Shakour was a highly respected member of staff.

Melanie Walker, chief executive, said: "The hospital is deeply saddened by the tragic circumstances which have occurred."

Senior investigating officer Detective Superintendent Rob Vinson said: "At this time we are investigating to see whether this fire was started deliberately and need anyone with information to contact us.

"For the sake of the family, who are trying to come to terms with this tragic incident, I would ask for information from the public, especially in the Harlow area, to help us determine exactly what has happened."

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