THE family of a mother and her three children who were killed in a house fire in Daubhill has been overwhelmed by the messages of support they have received.

Imteyaz Ali, secretary at the Bolton Council of Mosques, said: "They are all going through a very difficult time. There are no words that you or I can say that can comprehend their loss.

"It is a real tragedy. The family has been overwhelmed by the support they have had. They are very grateful. They are requesting that everybody prays for the deceased and the family and to give them strength at these distressing times."

A fire broke out at the terraced house in Rosamond Street on Saturday and claimed the lives of Aneesa Umerji, aged 40, and her three children, Hamaad, Yusuf and Khadijah, aged 12, 10 and five.

Mrs Umerji's husband, Zubair, survived the fire by jumping from a first floor window before trying to get back into the house to rescue his family.

The burial of the four family members will take place at New Overdale Cemetery in Chorley New Road, after the funeral at Zakariyya Jaame Masjid in Peace Street this afternoon.

Mr Ali thanked the coroner's office for their work to ensure that the bodies could be released.

Speaking about Mr Umerji, who continues to recover in hospital, Mr Ali said: "He is clearly devastated and he is being supported by those who are closest to him. They are morally supporting him in every way."

He added that the family was 'well respected' and 'close knit' in the community.

The funeral starts at 1.40pm today and BCOM is asking those attending to car share where possible as parking will be limited and a large number of mourners are expected.

Additional parking will be available at the Cambrian car park opposite the mosque.

Volunteers from the Council of Mosques will be giving directions and mourners are asked to support them in allowing direct family members only to be at the grave side.

The inquest into the deaths were opened yesterday at Bolton Coroner's Court.

Senior coroner for Manchester West Jennifer Leeming and police coroner's officer Alison Park both expressed their sympathies to the family.

The provisional cause of death for all four family members was given as smoke inhalation.

The inquest was adjourned to 10am on Thursday, November 30 and will resume at Bolton Coroner's Court.