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Murder inquiry follows fire death | Murder inquiry follows fire death |
(about 19 hours later) | |
A newsagent who was injured in a fire at his shop in Bristol during a burglary has died in hospital. | A newsagent who was injured in a fire at his shop in Bristol during a burglary has died in hospital. |
Officers have now begun a murder inquiry after the suspected arson attack at Newsmart in Axbridge Road, Knowle, in the early hours of Friday. | |
Nasir Sayeed, 46, who suffered severe smoke inhalation, died at Bristol Royal Infirmary in the early hours of Sunday. | Nasir Sayeed, 46, who suffered severe smoke inhalation, died at Bristol Royal Infirmary in the early hours of Sunday. |
A 32-year-old local man is in custody. Seven others arrested earlier were released pending further inquiries. | A 32-year-old local man is in custody. Seven others arrested earlier were released pending further inquiries. |
Mr Sayeed, his daughter Nisha, 21, who is still critically ill, and another man were rescued in the blaze. | Mr Sayeed, his daughter Nisha, 21, who is still critically ill, and another man were rescued in the blaze. |
Hasham Qadeer, Mr Sayeed's nephew, said the family was still in shock. | |
"His family flew in from Pakistan yesterday and did not know of his death until they got here," said Mr Qadeer. | |
"Everyone is coming over to pay tribute and to support each other. | |
"People have been coming to us to say what a nice man he was and how down-to-earth." | |
'Racial harassment' | |
Police believe the motive behind the fire was burglary but are investigating "racial harassment aspects". | Police believe the motive behind the fire was burglary but are investigating "racial harassment aspects". |
Detective Superintendent Nigel Rock, who is leading the investigation, said: "Due to the injuries sustained by the victim, we have treated this incident with the utmost seriousness since Friday and this has now become a murder investigation. | Detective Superintendent Nigel Rock, who is leading the investigation, said: "Due to the injuries sustained by the victim, we have treated this incident with the utmost seriousness since Friday and this has now become a murder investigation. |
"I would appeal to anyone who may have been in or around Axbridge Road in the early hours of Friday to come forward and speak to police if they have not done so already." | "I would appeal to anyone who may have been in or around Axbridge Road in the early hours of Friday to come forward and speak to police if they have not done so already." |
Mr Sayeed's family said on Saturday that doctors told them his chances of survival were nil. | Mr Sayeed's family said on Saturday that doctors told them his chances of survival were nil. |
His wife was flying over from Pakistan to see her husband before his life support machine was due to be switched off. | His wife was flying over from Pakistan to see her husband before his life support machine was due to be switched off. |