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| Version 0 | Version 1 |
|---|---|
| Family appeals over fatal blaze | Family appeals over fatal blaze |
| (about 9 hours later) | |
| The husband of a woman killed in an arson attack at their home has appealed for witnesses to come forward, saying he "just wants justice". | The husband of a woman killed in an arson attack at their home has appealed for witnesses to come forward, saying he "just wants justice". |
| Hameeda Begum, 71, died in hospital after the blaze at the couple's home in Great Lever, Bolton, three weeks ago. | Hameeda Begum, 71, died in hospital after the blaze at the couple's home in Great Lever, Bolton, three weeks ago. |
| Her daughter Saima Mian, 24, and granddaughter Alana Mian, four, remain seriously ill in hospital. | Her daughter Saima Mian, 24, and granddaughter Alana Mian, four, remain seriously ill in hospital. |
| Jeweller Mumtaz Chishti, 71, Mrs Begum's husband of 45 years, said: "She was my all." | Jeweller Mumtaz Chishti, 71, Mrs Begum's husband of 45 years, said: "She was my all." |
| "Since I married I have never ever been away from her," Mr Chishti said. | "Since I married I have never ever been away from her," Mr Chishti said. |
| "My concerns are now for my daughter and granddaughter. I want to appeal to every person in Bolton. | "My concerns are now for my daughter and granddaughter. I want to appeal to every person in Bolton. |
| "We need to know who this was and why they did it. I have no grudge with anyone. I just want justice for my wife and family." | "We need to know who this was and why they did it. I have no grudge with anyone. I just want justice for my wife and family." |
| Smoke alarm | Smoke alarm |
| The blaze started in a bin at the front of the house in Little Holme Walk. | The blaze started in a bin at the front of the house in Little Holme Walk. |
| Mr Chisti said his wife saved his life after she heard the fire alarm go off. | Mr Chisti said his wife saved his life after she heard the fire alarm go off. |
| He was held back by neighbours as he tried to return to the burning house to save her. | He was held back by neighbours as he tried to return to the burning house to save her. |
| Four-year-old Alana Mian remains seriously ill in hospital. | |
| Fahad Mian, husband of Saima and Alana's father, said: "If anybody has seen anything, whether they think it is suspicious or not, please come forward so we can have some sort of justice. | Fahad Mian, husband of Saima and Alana's father, said: "If anybody has seen anything, whether they think it is suspicious or not, please come forward so we can have some sort of justice. |
| "We have already lost a life." | "We have already lost a life." |
| His wife and daughter suffered burns and are on life support machines. | His wife and daughter suffered burns and are on life support machines. |
| Alana has also undergone a heart operation. They were on a six-month visit to relatives in Bolton, from their home in Australia, when the arson was carried out. | Alana has also undergone a heart operation. They were on a six-month visit to relatives in Bolton, from their home in Australia, when the arson was carried out. |
| Bolton firefighter Steve Morris, 38, was also badly burned when he tried to rescue Mrs Begum. He remains critically ill. | Bolton firefighter Steve Morris, 38, was also badly burned when he tried to rescue Mrs Begum. He remains critically ill. |
| Mr Mian said: "My heart goes out to all the firefighters who helped that night. | Mr Mian said: "My heart goes out to all the firefighters who helped that night. |
| "All of us are praying together for their recovery. | "All of us are praying together for their recovery. |
| "There is no courage greater than theirs." | "There is no courage greater than theirs." |
| A 12-year-old boy and a 22-year-old man were arrested on suspicion of murdering Mrs Begum and have been released on bail. | A 12-year-old boy and a 22-year-old man were arrested on suspicion of murdering Mrs Begum and have been released on bail. |