Boy in court over arson death

A 14-year-old boy was due in court today charged with the murder of a teenage girl in an arson attack on her home.

The boy, who cannot be named for legal reasons, is accused of killing 15-year-old Maleha Masud, who died last Thursday after being injured in the fire in south London in the early hours of Sunday 21 June.

He was also charged with four counts of attempted murder against 53-year-old Rubina Masud, Zain Masud, 22, Junaid Masud, 16, and 21-year-old Nabiha Masud, who were injured in the blaze in Tooting.

The boy was appearing at Balham youth court.

A post-mortem examination failed to establish the cause of death and police are awaiting the results of further tests. Maleha's mother Rubina and brother Zain jumped from a first-floor window to escape the blaze.

Three of City banker Mr Masud's siblings, including Maleha, were rescued from the burning building by firefighters.

Nabiha had to be resuscitated by paramedics in the front garden.

She and Mr Masud, their younger brother Junaid and Maleha were taken to hospital for treatment for burns and smoke inhalation.