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Three held in blaze murder probe
Ben Bailey30 Jun 2009
Three teenagers were being questioned today in connection with a fatal house fire, Scotland Yard said.
A murder investigation was launched following the death of 15-year-old Maleha Masud in hospital last Thursday.
She was seriously injured in a suspected arson attack at her home in south London in the early hours of Sunday, June 21.
Three of her siblings were also injured in the blaze in Lessingham Avenue, Tooting, and remain in a critical condition.
A Metropolitan Police spokesman said a 17-year-old male has been arrested, while a 15-year-old boy and a 14-year-old boy, who were originally detained on June 22, have been rearrested.
They were being questioned at separate south London police stations, the Met said.
Maleha's mother, Rubina, 53, and brother, Zain Masud, 22, jumped from a first-floor window to escape the blaze.
Three of City banker Mr Masud's siblings, including Maleha, were dragged from the burning building by firefighters.
Nabiha, 21, had to be resuscitated by paramedics in the front garden.
She and Mr Masud, their younger brother, Junaid, 16, and Maleha were taken to hospital for treatment for burns and smoke inhalation.
A post-mortem examination failed to ascertain cause of death and police are awaiting the results of further tests.
Police said they had found traces of an accelerant at the address and an incident room has opened at Lewisham under Detective Chief Inspector Damian Allain.
He said: "A mother has had her youngest child taken from her in the most tragic circumstances.
"Her three other children remain seriously ill in hospital. They were at the place where they should feel safest, in their family home. Whoever has committed this act is not only a coward but is a dangerous individual who must be caught.
"Despite having made arrests, no charges have been brought. I remain open-minded as to motive and would appeal for anyone within the community in Tooting to come forward with any information to help me catch the person or people responsible.
"Hundreds of cyclists would have been in the area at the time, making their way to the start point of the London to Brighton bike ride at Clapham Common. I would appeal to people who may have seen anyone carrying a petrol can or similar container to come forward."
Anyone with information should call the incident room on 020 8721 4805 or Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.
