Detectives still seeking answers 14 years after fire that killed mother and five children in Harlow
Essex Police urge anyone with information to come forward
Detectives say they remain determined to establish the truth about a fire in Harlow that killed a mother and her five children 14 years ago, Essex Police has said.
The fire happened at a family home in Barn Mead in the early hours of 15th October 2012.
Dr Abdul Shakoor was the only survivor.
His wife, 44-year-old Dr Sabah Usmani, and their five children all died.
The children were 12-year-old Hira, three-year-old Maheen, 11-year-old Sohaib, nine-year-old Muneeb and six-year-old Rayyan.
What happened
Essex Police said the family were asleep when the fire took hold downstairs at around 1.40am.
A silver Ford Focus was also set alight nearby at around the same time.
Police said Dr Shakoor tried to raise the alarm and save his family, but the fire quickly engulfed the home.
The investigation
Police are treating the deaths as murder, and the investigation is called Operation Shakespeare.
Police said more than 70 officers and staff have worked on it over the past 14 years.
Around 500 people have given witness statements and almost 2,000 items have been examined.
Police said they continue to assess information and pursue opportunities that could help establish exactly what happened that night and who was responsible.
Appeal for information
Detective Chief Inspector Louise Metcalfe, who leads Operation Shakespeare, said: "The gravity of this investigation is not, and has never been, lost on me."
She said: "Dr Shakoor lost his whole family as a result of this fire 14 years ago. He deserves answers."
She said: "We have pursued every viable line of enquiry available to us, and we will continue to do so. Fourteen years passing does not diminish our determination to establish the truth about what happened in Barn Mead and hold the person or people responsible to account."
She said: "We know there are people who may have information which could help our investigation. That includes the person who took the significant step of writing to us anonymously with information we are keen to explore further."
She said: "I want to speak directly to that person again. You have already taken an important step by contacting us. I understand from your letter that having this information has weighed heavily on you, but we need you to speak to us directly so we can properly explore what you know."
She said: "You will be treated fairly. Please make contact with us and allow us the opportunity to listen to what you have to say."
She said: "And that appeal extends beyond the author of the letter. Fourteen years is a long time and circumstances change. Relationships change, loyalties change and people who did not feel able to speak to us before may feel differently today."
She said: "If you know something about what happened at Barn Mead, however insignificant you believe it may be, please tell us."
She said: "Our commitment to finding answers for Dr Shakoor has not changed. We will continue to pursue information, follow the evidence and do everything we can to establish the truth about what happened to his family."