5 die in fire in Lancs

Montse · November 1, 2006

Family death fire was deliberate

A fire which killed a mother and her four daughters, aged from three to 16, in Lancashire was started deliberately.

The bodies of Caneze Riaz, 39, and her daughters Sayrah, 16, Sophia, 15, Alicia, 10, and three-year-old Hannah, were found in the early hours.

Firefighters broke into the property through a bay window of the house in Tremellen Street, Accrington. Police said the doors were locked from inside.

The girls' father, Mohammed Riaz, is in a critical condition in hospital.

He had to be resuscitated by a firefighter at the scene and is being treated in Wythenshawe Hospital's burns unit.

The couple are said to also have a fifth child, 17-year-old Adam, who has been receiving hospital treatment for leukaemia.

At a press conference in nearby Blackburn, police revealed that accelerants were used to start the blaze and there were several seats of fire.

They said the cause of the fire was deliberate and detectives have started a murder inquiry.

Lancashire Police are now appealing for anyone who saw anything suspicious in the area on Tuesday night to come forward.

More than 30 officers, police staff, forensic experts and fire service personnel are working on the inquiry.

Det Supt Mick Gradwell, leading the investigation, said: "The house was secured and locked from the inside... whoever set the fire did not leave the premises."

Beeb

What a tragic story, I dont understand why someone would intentionally do this

RIP to the family especially the kiddies.

Gunga Din · November 1, 2006

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