Victim of fire 'will not survive'

Seven people were arrested and released pending further inquiries

The family of a man, critically hurt in a suspicious fire, say his life support machine will be switched off because his survival chances are nil.

Nasir Sayeed, 46, his daughter Nisha, 21, and another man were rescued in the blaze at the Newsmart store in Axbridge Road, Knowle, Bristol, early on Friday.

Mr Sayeed's wife is flying from Pakistan to see her husband.

Police believe the motive behind the fire was burglary but are investigating "racial harassment aspects".

Seven people were arrested and released pending further inquiries.

Mr Sayeed's brother, Rashid, said doctors have told him the likelihood of survival is nil.

"He is still in a critical condition, he has no chance to live", he said.

"We are just waiting for my family to come to the UK. After they have seen him, then the doctors will be taking the machines out."

Discarded items

Earlier, Det Supt Nigel Rock said: "While it is too early to establish what started the fire, we are able to state that we now believe that a burglary occurred at the shop.

"Through our investigation we are actively looking for people in connection with that burglary and also want to appeal to anyone who may have been offered goods or products that could have potentially come from the shop."

He said it was not yet certain what exactly was taken in the burglary or destroyed in the fire.

"It is possible that while the person(s) were leaving the shop and the area they may have discarded items in people's gardens," he said.

"We are appealing for anyone who comes across items or goods that look as if they are from a newsagents shop to come forward."