FIREFIGHTERS cannot say whether the smoke alarm went off in a house blaze that killed a mother and her three children.

It has now been almost two weeks since the fire ripped through the terraced house in Rosamond Street, Daubhill, in the early hours of Saturday, July 8.

It claimed the lives of Hamaad, Yusuf and Khadijah Umerji, aged 12, 10 and five, and their mother Aneesa, aged 40.

The children’s father, Zubair Umerji, survived the blaze by jumping out of a first floor window before trying to break back into the property to save his family.

Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service has been carrying out an investigation in to the fire and whether a smoke alarm in the house went off but has been unable to reach a conclusion due to the damage the device suffered.

Mother and three children dead after house fire in Rosamond Street, Daubhill

Thousands gather for funeral of mother and three children who died in house fire

Assistant county fire officer, Tony Hunter, said: “This tragic accident claimed the lives of a mother and her young children, and our thought are very much with the father left behind.

“At this stage we can’t say whether the smoke alarm went off or not, because of the damage caused by the fire.“

“Our advice is to please make sure you have smoke alarms fitted, and to check them regularly. We also offer free safe and well checks to help Greater Manchester residents plan fire safety in their homes. During the visit we will assess the potential fire risks in your home and provide personalised fire safety advice. You can request a visit through our website – www.manchesterfire.gov.uk.”

A funeral for the family was held last week and thousands of people gathered at a Bolton Mosque for it.