Seventh arrest over fire deaths

Abdullah Mohammed died in the fire at his home in Blackburn

A seventh man has been arrested over a suspected arson attack in which a couple died and their children were hurt in Blackburn.

Abdullah Mohammed, 41, died during the fire at the family home on London Road on 21 October. His wife, Ayesha, 39, died a week later.

A 37-year-old from Fleetwood is being held on suspicion of conspiracy to commit murder, Lancashire Police said.

Five men have been charged with murder and a sixth man has been freed on bail.

He is 22 years old and from London.

Mohammed Miah, 19, and Habib Iqbal, 25, both from London, Peter Bowden, 39, from Lytham St Annes, Imran Ali, 29, from Manchester and Sadek Miah, 23, from the Isle of Dogs, are all charged with two counts of murder and arson with intent to endanger life.

Mr and Mrs Mohammed's daughter, Siddiqah, 14, remains in a stable condition in hospital, detectives said.

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.