THE headteacher of a tragic schoolgirl who was murdered in her own home alongside her mother has paid tribute to the ‘outstanding’ student.

Vian Mangrio, 14, and her mother Dr Saman Mir Sacharvi, 49, were found dead inside their fire and smoke-damaged house on Colne Road in Reedley by police at about 8.45am on Thursday.

Two men, aged 51 and 56, from Burnley have been arrested on suspicion of two counts of murder, two counts of rape and one of arson with intent to endanger life.

Alyson Littlewood, head at Marsden Heights Community College in Nelson has said staff and pupils at the school are shocked and heartbroken by the news.

In a statement released on Monday, Ms Littlewood said: “We are shocked and heartbroken by the tragic deaths of Vian and her mother and our whole school is mourning the loss of two much-loved members of our community.

“Vian was an outstanding student. She had that wonderful mix of academic ability coupled with an enthusiasm for everything else that school can offer.

“She was very popular and was involved in a whole range of school activities. She was extremely supportive of her friends, was generous to all and had a smile that could fill a room.”

A post-mortem examination on Dr Sacharvi showed she died from pressure to her neck and that she was also assaulted.

Tests have shown Miss Mangrio was badly burnt, but officials have not yet determined the cause of her death.

Dr Sacharvi was a junior doctor with Lancashire and South Cumbria NHS Foundation Trust’s specialist perinatal community mental health team since February.

She most recently worked at the trust’s Daisyfield site in Blackburn.

Paying tribute to her, perinatal lead consultant Gill Strachan said: “Dr Sacharvi fitted in well with the team.

“She was approachable, diligent and had formed good working relationships with the team.

“She was empathic and well-liked by the women and families that she worked with.

“Her colleagues described her as very kind, brilliant and a joy to work with.

“During lockdown when Covid-19 restrictions were in place, she went out of her way to support the care of women, personally delivering prescriptions to women isolating at home.

“The team are shocked and saddened, and she will be greatly missed.

“Our thoughts are with family and friends at this very sad time.”