Woman's fire death was accidental

A 22-year-old mother who suffered burns to 75% of her body died accidentally, an inquest has recorded.

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

The coroner Michael Gwynne dismissed claims heard at the inquest in Telford she had been sprayed with a flammable liquid by her husband and another man.

He said the "nail had been hit on the head" on the claims made by Mrs Arif's father and denied by her husband.

Mrs Arif, from Grafton House, was in her kitchen when her clothes caught fire and family members rushed to help when they heard the screams, the inquest at Telford Magistrates' Court had heard.

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

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

Mrs Arif's husband and cousin, Arfan Arif, and his family denied the allegations which were investigated by West Mercia Police over 18 months.

Gas hob

The inquest heard that Mrs Arif herself had told a doctor the fire had started while she was cooking at a gas hob.

John Dasgupta, one of the fire investigators with Shropshire Fire and Rescue service, told the inquest he was convinced it was an accident, probably caused by her leaning over the hob while having turpentine on her clothes from cleaning windows.

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

The coroner said that the allegations should never have been made.

After the inquest, the family of her husband Arfan Arif said they were satisfied with the verdict and praised the work of the emergency services.

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