Harlow fire deaths: Father released from hospital

Sabah Usmani and her five children died as a result of the fire at the family home

A man whose wife and five children died as a result of a house fire in Essex has been released from hospital.

Dr Sabah Usmani, her sons Muneeb, nine, and Rayyan, six, and daughter Hira, 12, died on 15 October in Harlow. A third son, Sohaib, 11, and daughter Maheen, three, died later in hospital.

Dr Abdul Shakoor, who suffered severe smoke inhalation, was being treated at Broomfield Hospital in Chelmsford.

A hospital spokesman said he was released on Friday evening.

Dr Shakoor was treated initially at Harlow's Princess Alexandra Hospital, where he works.

Minute's silence

On Monday he transferred to the adult burns ward of Broomfield Hospital to be close to his daughter Maheen. She died on Thursday.

On Friday, prayers were held at the Harlow Islamic Centre for Dr Shakoor and his family. A book of condolence was also opened at the centre for the public to sign.

Members of Harlow and District Football League held a minute's silence for the Shakoor family before their matches on Sunday morning.

A support fund has also been set up by Princess Alexandra Hospital NHS Trust, where Dr Shakoor has worked as an Endocrinologist and Diabetes Registrar for just over a year.

An investigation into the cause of the fire continues.