Three die in suspected arson attack

Police believe the fire was started deliberately

A mother and her two daughters have died in a suspected arson attack.

The bodies of Linda Lowe, 49, and her daughters Sarah, 17, and Lucy, 16, were found in an upstairs bedroom after fire swept through their terraced home in Leegomery, Telford.

Lucy Lowe, 16, died in the blaze

Detective Chief Inspector, Clive Harding, of West Mercia Police said officers believe the blaze in the early hours of Saturday was started deliberately.

They have now launched a murder inquiry.

"Extensive investigation of the scene by the fire service and forensic experts has found no evidence consistent with an accidental cause for this fire," said DCI Harding.

Escape

"I am therefore considering that the fire has been started deliberately and am conducting a murder investigation."

Mrs Lowe's husband George, 55, his 15-month-old granddaughter Tazneem Mehmood and Lucy's boyfriend, Azhar Mehmood, 25, all escaped the fire.

Sarah Lowe, 17, was found in the bedroom

They were taken to Telford's Princess Royal Hospital, where the two men were treated for minor burns and smoke inhalation.

The baby girl was detained in hospital for precautionary checks, while the two men were later discharged and are now staying with relatives, said DCI Harding.

Post mortems have established the cause of the women's deaths as consistent with a major fire.

Forensic examination at the scene of the fire in Halifax Drive is continuing.

DCI Harding added: "I am keen to hear from anybody who can give us any information about this horrific offence."