Harlow Fire Victim Maheen Shakoor 'Remains In Critical Condition' After Suspected Arson Attack In Essex

Harlow Fire Victim Remains 'In Critical Condition'

Three-year-old Maheen Shakoor remains in a critical condition after a suspected arson attack that killed her mother and four siblings in Harlow.

She is being treated at the specialist burns unit at Broomfield Hospital, Chelmsford, Essex, following the attack on her home.

Her father, Dr Abdul Shakoor, the only other survivor, has also been transferred to the hospital to be closer to his daughter. It is her fourth birthday next week.

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 and her sons Sohaib, 13, and Rayyan, six, as well as 11-year-old daughter Hira, died in their end-of-terrace house in Barn Mead, Harlow, Essex, at about 1am

He suffered from smoke inhalation and shock after fighting to save his family from the blaze.

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."

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

Yesterday forensic science teams began a 'painstaking' examination of the end-of-terrace house

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

"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.

Dr Joud Abduljawad, an accident and emergency consultant at the Princess Alexandra Hospital in Harlow and a friend and colleague of Dr Shakoor, was on call at the time of the tragedy.

"I was the consultant in emergency medicine on call and I was called in and I was quite shocked to know that I was caring and looking after members of the family of Abdul and his children," he told ITV Daybreak.

"It was quite an emotional shock for me and for the whole staff of the emergency department - 'Oh it is Abdul's family and himself'.

"We had to keep our emotions well-controlled and I had to provide the leadership and give supervision for all the station teams that were involved in their care."

He added: "Abdul is an excellent doctor, he is a hard-working doctor, he is well-liked by his patients.

"Yesterday we had patients coming to our hospital to provide condolences to Abdul as well.

"He is well-liked as a Muslim in the local community as well.

"His family are just a great family."

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