AN investigation into a house fire which killed six members of the Shakoor family in Harlow is set to feature on the BBC programme Crimewatch this evening.

Senior Investigating Officer Rob Vinson will be appealing to the public for information to help find answers to how and why the fatal fire in Barn Mead happened.

Dr Abdul Shakoor was the only survivor of the fierce fire that started in the lounge of the family home in the early hours of October 15.

His wife, 44 year-old Dr Sabah Usmani, daughter Hira, 12, and sons Muneeb, 9 and six-year old Rayyan sadly died at the scene.

Another son, 11-year-old Sohaib, died a short time after arrival at hospital.

Three-year-old Maheen was taken with her father to hospital. He was suffering smoke inhalation and burns after he battled to save his family. She was later transferred to the specialist burns unit at Broomfield Hospital, Chelmsford were sadly she died a few days before her fourth birthday.

Detectives now know that there was a burglary at the house on the evening/morning of the fire and will be appealing for anyone who was in the area at the time to come forward.

Det Supt Vinson will also appeal for information about the family’s laptop – a black Toshiba Satellite that is missing and about the laptop bag and two pin lead that were found abandoned in the Whitewaits area of Harlow 11 days later.

A further appeal is for information about the arson of a neighbour’s Ford Focus car that was found alight 20 metres away by the firefighters arriving to tackle the house fire.

Anyone with any information should contact the Operation Shakespeare investigation team on 01277 266869, or via Crimestoppers where information can be given anonymously on 0800 555 111, and you may be eligible for a reward of up to �10,000.