Woman's death in fire 'is murder'

Hameeda Begum died in hospital

The death of a 71-year-old woman in a house fire in Bolton is being treated as murder.

Hameeda Begum was killed and six others, including three firefighters, were injured in the blaze at Great Lever a week ago.

A 24-year-old woman and a five-year-old girl remain critically ill.

Greater Manchester Police say the fire, which started in a rubbish bin at the front of the house at Little Lever Walk, was arson.

Mrs Begum's husband Mumtaz Ahmed Chisty was also injured and has said he felt his wife of 45 years had "sacrificed her life to save her children and me".

We are treating this fire as arson and therefore the tragic death of Hameeda will be treated as murder Det Supt Sam Haworth Greater Manchester Police

He said Mrs Begum woke him up when the smoke alarm went off late on Monday night.

All four people in the property were rescued, but Mrs Begum died in hospital.

The younger woman and child in the house are both critically ill in separate hospitals.

Three firefighters suffered burns, with one with 50% burns to his lower back and legs and serious burns to his hands.

Det Supt Sam Haworth, from the major incident team, said: "We are treating this fire as arson and therefore the tragic death of Hameeda will be treated as murder.

"Two people still remain critically ill as a result of this fire and it is vital that we find out who is responsible for starting this devastating blaze."