Man dies in shop firebomb attack

Khizar Hayat was killed in the attack

A man has been killed and three injured in an "horrific" firebomb attack on a shop in south London.

Workers at the Pricecutter shop near the Oval were trapped inside as it was engulfed in flames on Thursday.

Two ran through the flames into the street and escaped with minor burns, two others headed to the back - one died and one is critically ill.

Officers at nearby Lambeth Police station chased a man seen throwing a object into the shop, but lost him.

The suspect is described as a black man, barrel-chested with a shaved head, aged 30 to 35, about 5ft 10in with a strong jaw line and rough skin.

Police lost him in Handforth Road - they do not know why the shop was attacked at about 1530 BST. No customers were inside at the time.

Forensic officers have been at the scene, house-to-house inquiries are being carried out and CCTV footage is being studied.

It is absolutely appalling. It is a horrific way for someone to die Det Ch Insp David Garwood

The dead man has been named as Khizar Hayat, 40, who is believed to be from Kashmir where the earthquake has made it difficult to contact his family.

He is thought to have children, and have been living in the UK for several years.

Det Ch Insp David Garwood said: "It is absolutely appalling. It is a horrific way for someone to die. The staff are still in shock."

Staff said there were no tensions at the shop and police say they are keeping an "open mind" as to the motive.

They are also trying to confirm what device was used to start the fire.