Police Appeal For Information 3 Years After Bolton House Fire

Detectives investigating the deaths of two people in a house fire in Bolton believe witnesses could be withholding vital information.

Three years to the day since 71 year old Hameeda Begum and her granddaughter, four year old Alana Mian, died after an arsonist set fire to the house on Little Holme Walk In Bolton, Police investigating the case say they believe witnesses are not coming forward with information to help them catch whoever started the fire.

A large number of people have been interviewed since the fire in 2008, but the final piece of information required to bring those responsible to justice is still missing.

A £50,000 reward for information leading to an arrest and conviction remains unclaimed.

Firefighters rescued the occupants of the house but Hameeda died later in hospital, while Alana died on the 1st August 2008.

Alana's mother, Saima, and firefighter Steve Morris, were also seriously hurt but were later released from hospital. Steve is still recovering from his injuries at home.

Detective Chief Inspector Jon Chadwick, of the Major Incident Team, said: "Three years have now passed since that terrible day and no-one connected with it will ever forget what happened.

"It had a devastating effect on the family, wider community and the emergency services.

"We have investigated it extensively and our inquiry remains open and active. We remain determined to find those responsible for the death of Hameeda and Alana, but we have been frustrated by the lack of that one piece of information that clearly links whoever did this to the crime.

"We have spoken to dozens of witnesses and we firmly believe that a small minority are holding out on us. We believe some have not given us the full story, or at least everything they know, and I want to appeal to them directly to speak to us again.

"The only people likely to get into trouble are the perpetrators of the original offence. Our priority is to bring the killers to justice to give some small piece of mind to the family.

"We have offered a life-changing amount of money and we are aware that allegiances change over time. With that in mind we hope that anyone who knows the true story of what happened that night can search their conscience and come and speak to us.

"Now is the time to do the right thing."

Anyone with information is asked to call the Major Incident Team on 0161 856 2197 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.