Police have issued a new appeal for new information about a house fire that killed a mother and her five children 12 years ago.
Sabah Usmani, 44, her three sons Sohaib, 11, Rayyan, six, and Muneeb, nine, and her two daughters Maheen, three, and Hira, 13, died after the fire ripped through their home. family in Harlow, Essex, in October. 15, 2012.
Father Dr Abdul Shakoor was the only survivor of the arson attack, which is believed to have been caused by “malicious ignition”. Detectives were also aware of a burglary at the home that same day.
But the perpetrator was never brought to justice, despite Essex Police launching a murder investigation which is still ongoing.
Police have launched a fresh appeal for information on the anniversary of the fire and revealed seven clues they hope will lead to the killer.
Sabah Usmani, 44, pictured with her five children (left to right): daughter Hira, 11, and sons Sohaib, 13, Rayyan, six, and Muneeb, 9, and daughter Maheen , of three. They all died after a fire ripped through their family home in Harlow, Essex, on October 15, 2012.
Father Dr. Abdul Shakoor was the only survivor of the arson attack. He is shown leading other members of the local Muslim community as they follow the funeral procession in 2012.
Firefighters inspect the rear of a fire that killed Dr. Shakoor’s wife and children on October 15, 2012.
Detectives have asked the public for information on any of the following lines of investigation:
- A white man in his 20s or 30s on a bicycle was seen in the area when the house and car were set on fire. It is believed that he could be a key witness.
- The family laptop, a black Toshiba Satellite, which was stolen from the house in a robbery. This has not been located. Do you know where the laptop is or was?
- The laptop was equipped with a two-prong cable because it was purchased in Saudi Arabia. The laptop bag and strap were later recovered near the scene between Whitewaits and St Michael’s Close. Did you see these items being thrown or notice any suspicious activity in these areas at the time?
- Attached to the laptop cable was a shaver adapter plug. This did not belong to the Shakoor family, suggesting that someone tried to use the plug. Did you lack a shaver socket in your house at that time?
- Do you know anything about a silver Ford Focus that was also set on fire near the scene of the house fire?
- In November 2012, a person called Harlow police station from a telephone box and left a message about the fire. Are you that person?
- Also in November 2012 a piece of paper about the murder investigation was left on a shelf in Boots in Harlow. Did you leave that piece of paper?
The fire murder investigation, dubbed Operation Shakespeare, has involved more than 70 police officers and staff.
Around 500 people came forward to testify as witnesses and almost 2,000 objects were examined.
Dr Abdul Shakoor spoke at a memorial service held to mark the anniversary of the fatal fire in 2022.
Dr. Abdul Shakoor (center) and members of the Muslim community follow the funeral procession to the crematorium after a prayer service in October 2012.
Dr Shakoor has continually appealed for witnesses since the incident and, in 2022, took part in a memorial service to mark the anniversary of the fatal fire.
He said at the time it was “absolutely important” to commemorate the deaths with the local community, adding: “It’s really difficult, I can’t forget the moment of the night it happened.”
Dr. Shakoor described his wife as “my best friend” and said his children “really loved living here, we had a very good community.”
He also said he was pleased to learn that detectives are still investigating the fire ten years after a meeting with Essex Police on Friday.
The father continued, “I’m a big believer in hope and that at some point we will get the answers.”
Dr Shakoor discovered the fire at his home in Barn Mead, Harlow, at 1.40am and fought hard to save his family, suffering the effects of the heavy smoke and also minor burns as he tried to get them out.
He bravely jumped out of the window and landed on a car parked below, before attempting to re-enter the house with a neighbour.
Dr. Shakoor fought his way through the flames and managed to climb the stairs, but it turned out to be too late.
While firefighters put out the fire, a Ford Focus burned in a nearby parking lot.
All six victims died from asphyxiation due to smoke inhalation. His wife Sabah died on the spot along with his daughter Hira and sons Muneeb and Rayyan.
Major damage to the family home in Harlow, Essex, following the fatal fire in October 2012
Sohaib, aged 11, died at the Princess Alexandra Hospital in Harlow, where Dr Shakoor worked.
The fifth and youngest of the girls, Maheen, who would have celebrated her fourth birthday nine days after the fire, never regained consciousness.
His father had to make the painful decision to turn off his life support machine.
Detective Chief Inspector Louise Metcalfe, of Kent and Essex Serious Crime Directorate, said: ‘Dr Shakoor lives with the unimaginable pain of losing his entire family; a wife he had planned to grow old with; children whom he imagined growing up and doing great things.
But that future was taken from him exactly 12 years ago. “For 12 years, no one has been brought to justice for what happened, but I remain committed to changing that.”
‘I have met Dr Shakoor and see his unwavering determination to hold someone (or some people) accountable for the death of his family. “I am committed to doing everything I can to give him that.”
DCI Metcalfe added: ‘No case is ever closed and this investigation has been reviewed periodically to identify new lines of inquiry.
“Getting justice for Dr Shakoor remains our determined goal and I remain confident that the answers to this absolute tragedy lie within the Harlow community.”
