Man accused of wife's fire death

An inquest has heard allegations that a 22-year-old woman who died of severe burns was sprayed with a flammable liquid by her husband and another man.

Samaira Arif, from Leegomery, Telford, Shropshire died nearly six weeks after she was injured in 2006.

Her father, who is not at the inquest, told police in January 2007 he believed the death had been caused deliberately, the hearing in Telford was told.

Her husband and cousin, Arfan Arif, and his family have denied the allegations.

Burning himself

Arfan Arif's father, Mohamed Arif, told the inquest at Telford Magistrates Court that the allegations were "a disgrace" and "insulting".

Samaira Arif, from Grafton House, was in her kitchen when her clothes caught fire and the family rushed to help when they heard the screams, the inquest heard.

Her brother-in-law, Amar Arif, tried to put the flames out with his hands, burning himself in the process.

She was injured on 9 November 2006 and died at Birmingham's Selly Oak Hospital on 20 December.

Her father told police he believed her husband and another man had sprayed her with a flammable liquid, Acting Det Insp Paul Mathison, from West Mercia Police, told the inquest.