Police have launched a new appeal for new information about a house fire that killed a mother and her five children twelve years ago.
Sabah Usmani, 44, her three sons Sohaib, 11, Rayyan, six, and Muneeb, nine, and two daughters Maheen, three, and Hira, 13, all died after the fire ripped through their family home in Harlow, Essex, in October . 15, 2012.
Father Dr Abdul Shakoor was the sole survivor of the arson, which was 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 that is still ongoing.
Police have launched a new appeal for information on the anniversary of the fire and have revealed seven clues they hope will help them find 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, 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. He is pictured 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 members of the public for information on any of the following lines of inquiry:
- A white male in his late teens/early twenties seen on a bicycle in the area when the house and car were set on fire. It is thought he could be a key witness.
- The family laptop, a black Toshiba Satellite, that was taken from the house during a burglary. This has not been located. Do you know where the laptop is or was?
- Because the laptop was purchased in Saudi Arabia, it was equipped with a two-pin cable. The laptop bag and lead were later recovered near the scene between Whitewaits and St Michael’s Close. Did you see these items being dumped or did you notice any suspicious activity in these areas at the time?
- The laptop cable had a shaver adapter plug attached to it. This did not belong to the Shakoor family, suggesting that someone tried to use the plug. Was there a razor plug missing in the house at the 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 behind?
The murder investigation into the fire, dubbed Operation Shakespeare, involved more than seventy police officers and staff.
About 500 people came forward to give evidence and almost 2,000 objects were examined.
Dr. Abdul Shakoor spoke at a memorial service marking 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 continuously called witnesses since the incident and in 2022 he took part in a memorial service to mark the anniversary of the fatal fire.
He said it was “absolutely important” at the time to mark the deaths with the local community, adding: “It’s really difficult, I can’t forget the time of night it happened.”
Dr. Shakoor described his wife as “my best friend” and said his children “loved living here, we had a really good community.”
He also said he was pleased to hear that detectives are still investigating the fire ten years after meeting with Essex Police.
The father continued, “I strongly believe 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. He suffered the effects of the dense smoke and also minor burns while trying to get them out.
He bravely jumped out of the window and landed on a car parked below, before trying to enter the house with a neighbor.
Dr. Shakoor fought his way through the flames and managed to climb the stairs, but it turned out to be too late.
While firefighters were battling the blaze, a Ford Focus car caught fire in a nearby parking lot.
All six victims died of asphyxiation due to smoke inhalation. His wife Sabah died on the spot with their daughter Hira and sons Muneeb and Rayyan.
The significant damage to the family home in Harlow, Essex, after the fatal fire in October 2012
Sohaib, 11, died at Princess Alexandra Hospital in Harlow, where Dr Shakoor worked.
The fifth and youngest child, Maheen, who would have celebrated her fourth birthday nine days after the fire, never regained consciousness.
Her father had to make the painful decision to turn off her life support machine.
Detective Chief Inspector Louise Metcalfe, of the Kent and Essex Serious Crime Directorate, said: ‘Dr. Shakoor lives with the unimaginable pain of losing his entire family; a woman he planned to grow old with; children he thought would grow up and do great things.
‘But that future was taken away from him exactly twelve years ago. For 12 years, no one has gotten justice for what happened, but I remain determined to change that.”
“I have met Dr Shakoor and I see his unwavering determination to hold someone – or some people – responsible for the death of his family. I am determined to do everything I can to give him that.”
DCI Metcalfe added: ‘No case is ever closed and this investigation is regularly reviewed to identify new lines of inquiry.
“Securing justice for Dr Shakoor remains our steadfast goal and I remain strongly convinced that the answers to this absolute tragedy lie within the Harlow community.”