AN inquest has been opened into the deaths of five members of the same family who died in an Accrington house fire and the man believed to have murdered them.
Caneze Riaz, who was a popular community worker in the town, died along with her four daughters in the blaze at her home in Tremellen Street last week.
Her husband Mohammed, who worked at a plastics factory in Blackburn, was pulled alive from the house by firefighters last Wednesday but died later in hospital.
Detectives believe he was responsible for the blaze at the property and have said that they are not looking for anyone else in connection with the fire.
At the inquest opening in Blackburn town hall yesterday coroner's officer John Schofield said Caneze, 39, and daughters Sairah, 16, Sophia, 12, Alisha, 10, and Hannah, three, died from smoke inhalation.
They were all identified by Caneze's uncle James Entwistle.
Mohammed, 49, died in the burns unit at Wythenshawe Hospital from burns and smoke inhalation and he was identified by his cousin Mohammed Akram.
The inquest was adjourned until February 20 while police and fire investigations are completed.
More than 1,000 people were expected to attend the funerals of Caneze and her four daughters today.
A ceremony was set to take place at the Raza Jamia Mosque, Countess Street, Accrington, at 1.30pm, followed by burial at the Burnley Road Cemetery, Huncoat, at 2.30pm.
Mourners were asked to attend the cemetery where there is more room.
The service at the mosque was to be broadcast by loudspeakers to people outside due to limited space inside.
The ceremony at the mosque was to be limited to men only and an alternative prayers service for women was to take place at the Portland Street Community Centre, Accrington, at 2pm.
Organisers of the funeral were asked that no flowers be taken to the cemetery and for people wishing to make a donation to give to the Christie Hospital, Manchester, and the Fire Services National Benevolent Fund.
Mohammed's body is expected to be flown to Pakistan for burial.
Mohammed and Caneze's other child, 17-year-old son Adam Riaz, was in the Christie Hospital, Manchester, receiving treatment for leukaemia at the time of the fire.
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