Pakistani shopkeeper dies after 'racist' arson attack that nearly killed his entire family

12 April 2012

A shopkeeper has died after his newsagents was set on fire in what police believe was a racist attack.

Nasir Sayeed, 46, who was from Pakistan, died yesterday from smoke inhalation after becoming trapped in the flat above his business.

Neighbours watched helplessly as the twostorey building went up in flames at 3.30am on Friday with five family members inside.

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Nasir Sayeed's newsagent was set alight following a burglary in the middle of the night

Three managed to jump to safety from a front window. But when firemen entered the flat they found Mr Sayeed and his daughter Nisha unconscious inside.

Last night, she was in hospital being treated for severe smoke inhalation.

Mr Sayeed died on Sunday morning after his life support machine was turned off.

Local residents claim racism is rife in the area, and that the family - who moved into the shop in Knowle, Bristol, two years ago - was subjected to a "campaign of hate" from local gangs.

Shopkeeper Jasmine Dirk, 23, said: "It is out of control around here. The yobs kept on at them.

"They were being terrorised just because of the colour of their skin."

Mr Sayeed daughter Nisha, 21, was yesterday in a critical condition in hospital following the fire in the early hours of Friday morning.

Neighbouring shopkeeper Jasmine Dirk, 23, who runs a convenience store, said: "It is out of control around here. The family in the newsagents were very quiet and kept themselves to themselves.

"But the yobs kept on and on at them. They had their windows smashed, they had the word 'Paki' written all over their cars."

She continued: "They were physically attacked when they tried to stop people stealing. They were being terrorised - just because of the colour of their skin."

Police and fire crews were called to the newsagents in Knowle, Bristol, at 3.30am on Friday, after the building is believed to have been torched following a burglary.

Neighbours watched helplessly as the two-storey building went up in flames - with five family members inside.

Three of them managed to jump clear of the flames from a window at the front of the property, with one landing on a parked car in the road.

But when fire-fighters finally entered the property - after ripping out metal bars on the windows at the back of the flat - they found Sayeed and his daughter unconscious inside.

Before Mr Sayeed died yesterday from the effects of smoke inhalation, his nephew Hasham Qadeer said: "We are all clinging onto the hope that he makes it through.

"We have been told that there is a slim chance. We just hope the outcome is good."

His daughter Nisha is still there, also suffering from severe smoke inhalation.

Police believe the motive behind the fire was burglary but are investigating "racial harassment aspects".

Residents claim that racism is rife in the area and accused the police of not doing enough to address the problem.

They claim that the family - who moved into the shop two years ago - were subjected to a "campaign of hate" as a result of their skin colour.

One local woman said she was attacked in a shop and called the police but they only arrived to investigate a day and a half later.

A spokesman for Avon and Somerset Police said: "All claims concerning racially aggravated crimes are taken very seriously.

"We are currently working with the community to determine if, in this case, it is more than a burglary."

Detective Superintendent Nigel Rock, who is leading the investigation, said: "Due to the injuries sustained by the victim, we have treated this incident with the utmost seriousness since Friday and this has now become a murder investigation.

"I would appeal to anyone who may have been in or around Axbridge Road in the early hours of Friday to come forward and speak to police if they have not done so already."

A 32-year-old local man is in custody. Seven others who were arrested earlier were released pending further enquiries.

A spokesman for Avon and Somerset Police said: "Claims concerning racially aggravated crimes are taken very seriously."

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