Hundreds of mourners have joined a father to pay their respects to his wife and five children who died in a house fire. Sabah Usmani, a doctor, and her children - Hira, 12, Sohaib, 11, Muneeb, nine, Rayyan, six, and Maheen, three - died in the blaze in Barn Mead, Harlow, Essex, last week. Father and husband Dr Abdul Shakoor, who tried to rescue his family, was the only survivor. About 400 people filled the Harlow Islamic Centre for a traditional Muslim funeral. Paramedics, firefighters and police officers who dealt with the blaze attended. Teachers and pupils who studied alongside the children also joined members of the Islamic community. Imam Muhammed Saleem led prayers for the family. |
