Family fire deaths inquest opens

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An inquest has been opened and adjourned into the deaths of six relatives who died when their house was set on fire in Lancashire.

Caneze Riaz and her four daughters died from smoke inhalation in their beds at the end property terrace in Accrington in the early hours of 1 November.

Mrs Riaz's husband, Mohammed, died two days later and will be sent to Pakistan to be buried once his body is released.

Caneze and her daughters will be buried in Accrington on Wednesday.

Opening the hearing, coroner Michael Singleton said he was aware of the ongoing police investigation and that no-one else was being sought in connection with the deaths.

Service held

Mr Singleton then adjourned the inquest until February.

The funeral of Mrs Riaz, 39, and her daughters Sayrah, 16, Sophia, 12, Alisha, 10 and three-year-old Hannah will take place with a morning service at the Raza Jamia Mosque on Grimshaw Street.

A later ceremony will be held at Accrington crematorium on Burnley Road.

Mohammed Riaz' body will be sent back to Pakistan for burial

Hundreds of people are expected to pay their respects at the services.

Detectives believe the girls' 49-year-old father may have been responsible for the blaze at the property on Tremellen Street and are not looking for anyone else in connection with the fire.

Fires had been started in several areas of the house and police say that whoever set them remained there, as the property was securely locked.

Detectives have yet to find a motive for the murders but it was suggested Mrs Riaz and her husband had been having marital problems.

The couple's 17-year-old son Adam was the only member of the family to escape the tragedy, as he was in hospital undergoing treatment for leukaemia.

A book of condolence has been opened for the family at Accrington Town Hall.