A father's plea for help

A father who lost six members of his family in a house fire in Harlow has made a fresh appeal on the Crimewatch programme.

Tony McLernon

Former boyfriend guilty of murder

A man has been found guilty of murdering his heavily pregnant former girlfriend and deliberately killing her unborn baby.

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Man arrested in Harlow fire murder inquiry has been bailed

Dr Sabah Usmani and her children who were killed in an arson attack on their home in Harlow Credit: Essex Police

A 19 year old man from Harlow arrested on suspicion of murder after a fatal fire last October, in which 6 members of the same family died, has been bailed by police.

Sabah Usmani, and her five children, Hira, Sohaib, Rayyan, Muneeb, and 3 year old Maheen were all killed in the blaze.

The teenager was also questioned on suspicion of attempted murder, arson and burglary.

Man arrested in Harlow fire murder inquiry

Flowers left at the scene of the Harlow fire in October 2012 Credit: ITV Anglia

A teenager from Harlow has been arrested on suspicion of murder following a fire in the town which which killed a mother and her five children.

The 19-year-old man was also questioned in connection with attempted murder, arson and burglary. He's been bailed until 27 June.

Dr Sabah Usmani and her children Muneeb, Rayyan, Hira, Sohaib and Maheen died in a fire at their home in Barn Mead in Harlow in October 2012. The father, Dr Abdul Shakoor, was also in the house at the time and tried desperately to save his family.

Dr Sabah Usmani and her children who were killed in an arson attack on their home in Harlow Credit: Essex Police

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Warning over bogus police bank scam after attempted thefts in Essex

Police are warning people over fraudsters who pose as detectives to steal from the bank accounts of elderly and vulnerable victims following two attempted frauds in Harlow.

Nearly 40 thefts and attempted thefts have been reported, mainly in the Loughton and Chigwell area, since the offences first came to light in January 2013.

More than 2,000 similar offences have been reported in the Metropolitan Police area in the past two years.

CCTV released after Harlow robbery

The man police in Harlow want to talk to in connection with a robbery Credit: Essex Police

Detectives in Harlow are asking for the public's help in identifying a man caught on CCTV who they want to speak to in connection with a robbery.

Around 9.30pm on Sunday, May 12 a man entered the Co Op Store in Maunds Hatch, Harlow and selected a drink from the display. When he approached the cash desk to pay he pulled out a wheel brace and threatened the cashier, demanding money. He was given a small sum of cash and left the store.

Investigation following fire at Essex airfield

Essex fire
Crews tackle the blaze at Matching Airfield near Harlow. Credit: ECFRS

The fire service and the police are to carry out an investigation into the cause of a large fire at Matching Airfield near Harlow.

Dozens of firefighters from Essex and neighbouring Hertfordshire were called to the blaze yesterday afternoon.

Dozens of firefighters were called to the scene yesterday afternoon. Credit: ECFRS
An investigation will now be held to determine the cause of the blaze. Credit: ECFRS

The fire involved several industrial buildings and vehicles and a 200 metre hazard zone was put in place as it was confirmed that acetylene cylinders were involved.

The area was evacuated and because of the risk, a minimum number of crews were sent inside the zone.

The blaze involved a number of acetylene cylinders. Credit: ECFRS
The area was evacuated and a minimum number of firefighters were sent into the area. Credit: ECFRS

Incident Commander-Senior Divisional Officer Mark Wilson said:

"Firefighters arrived to a well developed fire involving a range of businesses including a workshop and a coach yard.

"Crews did an excellent job tackling the blaze. A number of buildings, coaches and buses have been destroyed."

Crews were praised by bosses for tackling the fire. Credit: ECFRS

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Police seek witnesses to attempted Harlow robbery

Police are appealing for witnesses to an attempted robbery in Harlow.

A woman, 32, was attacked by a men on the cyclepath on Blackbush Spring at about 5pm yesterday.

She was pulled to the floor and the man attempted to steal her bag. Another man was acting as lookout. They fled empty handed.

The first man is described as black, aged 16 to 20, of medium build, and about 5ft 5ins tall. He wore a long-sleeved black top and black jeans.

The other man was white, also between aged 16 and 20, of slim build and about the same height. He had blond hair and wore a white jacket and blue trousers.

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