Second man remanded over fire deaths

Three of the sisters with their father and mother

A second man has appeared in court accused of murdering seven members of the same family, including five young sisters, who died when a fire swept through their home.

The girls, aged between six months and 13 years, died along with their mother and uncle in the fire at Osborne Road, Birkby, Huddersfield, in the early hours of Sunday morning.

A 22-year-old man, who cannot be named for legal reasons, appeared at Huddersfield Magistrates' Court on Friday, where he was remanded in custody.

The man spoke only to indicate that he understood each of the seven charges.

Five daughters

The defendant was remanded to appear at Bradford Crown Court on 24 May.

On Thursday 23-year-old Nazar Hussain, of Dryclough Road, Huddersfield, was remanded in custody by magistrates after being charged with the same seven offences.

Both men are accused of murdering Mohammed Ateeq-Ur-Rehman, his sister Nafeesa Aziz and her five daughters: Tayyaba Bootall, 13, Rabiah Bootall, 10, Ateeqa Nawaz, six, Aneesa Nawaz, two, and Najeeba Nawaz, six months.

It is believed the girls were on an extended holiday from Pakistan to visit their grandfather with their mother.

Further questions

There were 11 people in the house when the fire broke out.

Two people remain in hospitals in Leeds and Wakefield.

On Friday afternoon detectives released two men who had been questioned in connection with the incident.

A further seven men had earlier been released on bail pending further inquiries.