A MUM who lost her daughter and mother after a devastating arson attack has shared her heartbreak on mainstream TV in an appeal to bring their killers to justice.
Twelve years ago, Saima Hameeda Mumtaz and her four-year-old daughter Alana travelled back to the UK from where she lived in Australia to spend time with Saima's parents in Great Lever.
But on June 23, 2008 at around 11.30pm a wheelie bin was set on fire and pushed against the family home on Little Holme Walk.
A blaze ripped through the house and smoke spread across the property, trapping Saima, Alana along with Saima's parents Mumtaz Chishty and Hameeda Begum.
Firefighters rescued all four of them from the house but tragically Hameeda, 71, died an hour and a half later after being taken to hospital.
Little Alana died five weeks later from her injuries.
Saima, 24 at the time, was put in an induced coma for three weeks and when she woke up in hospital she could not move her limbs.
Mumtaz sustained minor injuries.
Alana died five weeks after the fire. Picture: BBC
Hameeda Begum. Picture: BBC
The house after the fire. Picture: BBC
BBC One's Crimewatch Roadshow Live featured the case on its programme this morning, Wednesday.
The episode included Saima's recollection of the fire and how her mum collapsed in the house and she had to make the heartbreaking decision of leaving her and trying to protect her daughter.
Saima found out about their deaths on the same day, which "completely changed" her life.
Floral tributes left on the ground. Picture: BBC
Saima speaking during the programme. Picture: BBC
Saima said: "It is even more upsetting I could not do anything, I could not move, I could not hug her, I could not hold her for the last time.
"I wish I could speak to my mum and say sorry to her, that I had to shut the door on her, that I was unable to help her.
"I used to believe that me and Alana were completely inseparable.
"The thought that I cannot see her, I cannot touch her from no, I cannot ever hear her voice, have a hug from her.
"It literally felt like I was dying every day."
Saima also expressed her thoughts on the killers who remain at large.
"Even after 12 years I still can't make any sense of the reason why that fire was lit", Saima said.
"How can someone live with themselves knowing that they caused people to die, caused our lives to be turned completely upside down?
"How is someone out there living knowing what they have done?
"I do not know how they can sleep at night. I couldn't."
Head of Greater Manchester Police's cold case unit, Martin Bottomley, who appeared on the show, previously said the fire was being treated as a racist attack.
Martin Bottomley speaking during the show
Mr Bottomley said: "This is an absolutely tragic case.
"We know there's someone out there who knows who did this and why.
"We know that allegiances change over time, and even if your conscience doesn't prick you there is a £50,000 reward available for evidence which will lead to the arrest and conviction of these killers."
If you have any information should contact police on 0161 856 5978.
Alternatively call the independent charity Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.
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