Maheen Shakoor, 3, Fights For Life After Harlow Suspected Arson Attack That Killed Her Mother And Four Siblings

Girl, 3, Fights For Life After Arson Attack That Killed Her Mother And Four Siblings

A three-year-old girl remained in a critical condition today after a suspected arson attack that killed her mother and four siblings.

Maheen Shakoor is being treated at the specialist burns unit at Broomfield Hospital, Chelmsford, Essex, following the attack on her home in Barn Mead, Harlow.

Her father, Dr Abdul Shakoor, the only other survivor, has also been transferred to the hospital to be closer to his daughter.

Dr Sabah Usmani with her five children

He suffered from smoke inhalation and shock after fighting to save his family from the blaze which ripped through their end-of-terrace house.

Consultant Dr Purnami Da Silva, who worked with Dr Shakoor in the endocrinology department at Princess Alexandra Hospital yesterday described him as "inconsolable".

Sabah Usmani, a trained doctor, sons Sohaib, 11, and Rayan, six, and 12-year-old daughter Hira died at the scene in the early hours of Monday.

A third son, Muneeb, nine, and Maheen were rescued by fire crews and taken to hospital in a critical condition but Muneeb later died.

The cause of the fire is still under investigation but Essex Police has said they have ruled out a racist motive and have dismissed rumours the fire was caused by a serial arsonist.

Lesley Lynn, headteacher at Abbotsweld School, said Sohaib, Muneeb and Rayan were all pupils, describing them as "intelligent and sociable children with a good sense of humour, good at sports and much loved by everyone".

She added: "Everyone at the school is distraught to learn of the horrible tragedy that has hit the Shakoor family."

She said that children at the school were being given specialist support to help them come to terms with the tragedy.

A spokesman for the Harlow Islamic Centre also paid tribute, describing the family as "much liked and respected".

He said: "We would like to offer our heartfelt condolences to the family and friends of Dr Shakoor.

"We are deeply saddened and shocked by this tragedy in which his wife and four children died.

"This loss of life will be felt throughout Harlow and the UK.

"Our thoughts and prayers are with the family during this very difficult time. We request that everyone remember them in their prayers."

Police are carrying out a painstaking forensic examination in an attempt to piece together events.

A Ford Focus belonging to a neighbour of the Shakoor family was also damaged in a suspected arson incident at about the time of the attack on the house.

Originally from Karachi, Pakistan, the Shakoor family lived in Saudi Arabia, where the children were born, for more than a decade before moving to the UK.

Close

What's Hot