Memorial service for fire family

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A memorial ceremony has been held in Lancashire for the Riaz family who died when their house in Accrington was deliberately set on fire on 1 November.

Teachers, pupils and neighbours all shared memories of Caneze Riaz and her daughters Sayrah, Sophia, Alicia and Hannah who died from smoke inhalation.

The service was held at Moorehead Sports College on Wednesday evening.

Head teacher Andrew Bateman said the service was to help pupils come to terms with the loss of their friends.

Police believe the fire which killed Caneze, 39, and her daughters Sayrah, 16, Sophia, 12, Alicia, 10, and Hannah, aged three, was started by the children's father Mohammed.

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

Detectives believe the 49-year-old locked all the doors in the house before starting several fires all over the house.

He was named as the only suspect in the murder investigation, but died in hospital before detectives could question him.

Caneze and her daughters all died in their beds when the fire broke out in the early hours of the morning.

Lancashire Police are investigating the possibility that Mr and Mrs Riaz were having marriage problems.

Mrs Riaz was described as a bubbly and popular "pillar of the community" and had been extremely active in the local area.

An inquest into all six deaths has been opened and adjourned until February.