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Harlow fire deaths: Funeral for Shakoor family begins | Harlow fire deaths: Funeral for Shakoor family begins |
(about 1 hour later) | |
The funeral of a doctor and her five children who died in a house fire in Essex has been taking place. | |
Dr Sabah Usmani and her sons Sohaib, 11, and Rayyan, six, and daughter Hira, 13, died in the blaze in Harlow on 15 October. | Dr Sabah Usmani and her sons Sohaib, 11, and Rayyan, six, and daughter Hira, 13, died in the blaze in Harlow on 15 October. |
A third son, Muneeb, nine, and daughter Maheen, three, both died in hospital. | A third son, Muneeb, nine, and daughter Maheen, three, both died in hospital. |
Dr Usmani's husband Dr Abdul Shakoor, released from hospital on Friday, is leading the family and community funeral at Harlow Islamic Centre. | Dr Usmani's husband Dr Abdul Shakoor, released from hospital on Friday, is leading the family and community funeral at Harlow Islamic Centre. |
The funeral procession left east London for Harlow during the morning, before arriving at the Islamic Centre in the town just before midday. | |
Community will follow | |
The six coffins were taken into the centre and laid to rest in a row at the side. Three had wreaths bearing pink roses and white lillies, the other three were adorned with blue and white flowers. | |
It is understood about 200 mourners were inside the centre, where prayers began at about 13:30 BST. Those attending include representatives from the emergency services. | |
Maulana Saleem Nuaab, trustee of the centre, has told mourners "whoever comes into this world has to pass from this world". | |
The service will be followed by burials at the Parndon Wood Cemetery. | The service will be followed by burials at the Parndon Wood Cemetery. |
Members of the public are understood to be lining the route to pay their respects to Dr Usmani and her children. | |
The service and prayers at the Islamic Centre were expected to last for about an hour and the funeral cortege, consisting of six hearses, will travel to the cemetery for a private religious burial, police said. | |
The family and community will follow the hearses on foot to the cemetery. | The family and community will follow the hearses on foot to the cemetery. |
The journey could take up to 20 minutes, leading to some disruption of traffic in the area. | The journey could take up to 20 minutes, leading to some disruption of traffic in the area. |
An investigation into the cause of the fire continues. Police have said despite initial concerns the cause of the fire was suspicious, no accelerant for the fire had been found. | |
It is believed it started in the lounge area, which is towards the rear of the end-terrace house in Barn Mead. | It is believed it started in the lounge area, which is towards the rear of the end-terrace house in Barn Mead. |