Police manhunt for suspect in Birkby arson which killed eight - video

May 12 2009 by Joanne Douglas, Huddersfield Daily Examiner

A POLICE chief says finding a fugitive connected to a Birkby arson attack would bring closure for the surviving family.

Seven years ago today eight members of the Chisti family were killed in an arson attack on their Birkby home.

Three people were convicted but one man – 26-year-old Shahid Mohammed – has been on the run for seven years.

Police believe he may be back in the UK after fleeing to Pakistan and are now on his trail in the hope of finding him and giving the family some closure of the tragedy.

And police have promised to take steps to protect witnesses fearful of giving them information.

Muhammad Ateeq-ur-Rehman, 18, Nefessa Aziz, 35, Tayyaba Batool, 13, Rabia Batool, 10, Ateeqa Nawaz, five, Aneesa Nawaz, two, and six-month-old Najeeba Nawaz all died in the fire.

Zaib-un-Nisa, 54, died in hospital a week later.

Detective Chief Inspector John Halstead was one of the first officers at the scene of the Osborne Road fire.

He said: “The scene was devastating – a number of people from the community were out in the streets and clearly couldn’t understand what had gone on and were saddened at the loss of so many people in one incident.

“It is difficult for the family – three generations lost their lives.

“The family has moved on in some respect but they always remember that fateful morning back in 2002 and it is difficult for them to find closure when there is one person who hasn’t been brought to justice.”

Shaied Iqbal, of Thornton Lodge, was convicted of eight counts of murder and ordered to serve at least 22 years in jail.

While Shahiel Shazad and Nazar Hussain, both of Crosland Moor, were convicted of eight counts of manslaughter and jailed for life.