SIX years after eight members of the same family perished in a fatal house fire, police are renewing their appeal for help tracing a man they want to question.
As the anniversary of the blaze on Osborne Road in Birkby, Huddersfield, approaches, detectives are appealing to friends and associates of Shahid Mohammed to tell them where he is. Today members of the victims' family are expected to add their voice
to calls for information at a press conference.
Mohammed, 25, has not been seen since he was released on police bail after being arrested in connection with the fatal fire on May 12, 2002.
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.
Det Chief Insp John Halstead, who is leading the investigation, said Mohammed is known to have strong links with Pakistan but also with London, Birmingham and Leicester.
He said: "West Yorkshire Police, via the family liaison officers, have regular contact with the Chisti family who cannot draw a line to these tragic circumstances when Shahid Mohammed is still at large.
"People may have protected or assisted Shahid in evading arrest and I specifically want to appeal to friends and associates of Shahid Mohammed to examine their conscience and to give information as to his whereabouts."
In July 2003, at Leeds Crown Court, Shaied Iqbal, 26, of Springdale Road, Thornton Lodge, Huddersfield, was found guilty of eight murders and jailed for life.
Shakiel Shazad, 23, of Gledholt Road, Gledholt, and Nazar Hussain, 24, of Dryclough Road, Crosland Moor, both Huddersfield, were each convicted of manslaughter and given concurrent 18-year sentences.
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