Men remanded over fire killings

Mr Mohammed died in the fire at his home in Blackburn

Two men have appeared in court charged with the murders of a Muslim cleric and his wife who died as a result of a fire at their home in Blackburn.

Abdullah Mohammed, 41, died in the fire on London Road, Blackburn, last week. His wife Ayesha, 39, died on Wednesday.

Peter Bowden, 39, from Lytham St Annes, and Imran Ali, 29, from Manchester, were charged with murder and arson with intent to endanger life.

They were remanded in custody at Blackburn Magistrates' Court.

Both men will appear at Preston Crown Court on 11 November.

The couple's 14-year-old daughter, Siddiqah, remains in a stable condition in hospital in Manchester following the fire.

Their nine-year-old son, Muhammad, has been released and is now recovering with his extended family.

Their eldest son, Ashraf, was away at university at the time of the attack on 21 October.