Harlow: Islam Helps House Fire Survivor

A man who lost his wife and five children in a house fire in Harlow has said moral support and the teachings of Islam are helping him cope with "the greatest trial of my life''.

Dr Abdul Shakoor broke down several times when he addressed an interfaith service at Princess Alexandra Hospital in Harlow, where he works as a doctor. 

"It would not have been possible for me to stand at this time without getting guidance from the holy book of Koran,'' he said after reading a passage from the book. 

"In this very difficult time for me and my family, every member of the community irrespective of their faith share my grief and feelings, and provided me with great moral support without which it is not possible for me to cope with this enormous amount of stress associated with this sad incident.'' 

He also said he wanted to thank emergency service workers "from the depths of my heart''. 

Before speaking to more than 150 colleagues and friends gathered at the hospital's social club, Dr Shakoor and several members of his family lit a candle in memory of each member of his family who died in the fire. 

Sabah Usmani, also a doctor, and their children - Hira, 12, Sohaib, 11, Muneeb, nine, Rayyan, six, and Maheen, three - died in the blaze in Barn Mead, Harlow. Dr Shakoor, who tried to rescue his family, was the only survivor. 

He was supported at the service by his brother, brother-in-law, sister-in-law, mother-in-law, niece and friends. Dr Shakoor also said that after much thought he will setting up a trust in the name of his wife and children to support burns victims. 

Essex Police were initially treating the blaze as a suspected arson attack but no trace of an accelerant used to spark the flames has been found. Although officers are continuing to investigate all possibilities, it is now thought "increasingly likely'' that the fire was a tragic accident. 

Hospital chaplain Christine Hawkins said colleagues and friends had come together to help the family - and each other - to cope with what had happened. 

"We come to surround our colleague, Dr Shakoor and his family, with our love and care,'' Ms Hawkins said. 

"We come to give thanks to so many people, both here at Princess Alexandra Hospital and in the emergency services across Essex and beyond, who responded so readily and professionally during the early hours of that fateful Monday morning just over a week ago, and for colleagues who have cared for Dr Shakoor and his family since then.'' 

Hospital CEO Melanie Walker said hospital staff across the country had contacted her to extend their support to Dr Shakoor. 

"We are here to support you, you are our friend and colleague and anything that we can do to help you in this difficult time, we will do,'' she said. 

During the service, several prayers and readings were made from both the Islamic tradition and the Christian faith as many wept silently. 

Those gathered, many of whom were hospital staff still in their uniforms, lit candles as the service drew to a close. 

Ms Walker said the hospital would offer Dr Shakoor whatever support he needed. 

"We've offered him some practical support because obviously he's lost everything with the fire but also some other type of support that would help him,'' Ms Walker told reporters after the service. 

"We will offer whatever he needs as time goes on. 

"You can't imagine what he must feel like and how devastating the loss of his whole family must be for him.'' 

Ms Walker said the trust fund for burns victims had already been set up in the Shakoor family name and can be accessed through the hospital website.