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Terrible tragedy waiting to happen

29/11/2001

LANGWORTHY traders and residents claim the horror blaze which killed Sayeeda Chowdhury and her eight-year-old daughter Nazreen this week was an accident waiting to happen.

Many fear derelict properties awaiting demolition could be 'tinder' for further accidents and have demanded urgent action to prevent a repeat of Saturday's tragedy.

Shop owner Mrs Chowdhury was critically injured in the fire above the family's empty Langworthy Road shop, in which her daughter Nazreen - who attended Langworthy Primary School - perished.

Mrs Chowdhury died on Monday night in Wythenshawe Hospital's intensive care unit.

Nazreen's father Fazal, aged 49, collapsed at the scene and had to be restrained as he tried to reach his wife and daughter. He was later released from hospital.

Anita Bullivant, owner of Neil's Friery on Langworthy Road told us ageing electrical wiring and empty properties are a major concern locally.

She said: "People are frightened to death - it was an accident waiting to happen."

Some residents are even looking to flee the area after the accident which shook the neighbourhood to its core.

Mr Mohammed Methi, who lives above his former shop with his family said: "I want to get out of this area as soon as possible. I fear for our safety every single night."

Local newsagent Susan Greatbanks, who watched the blaze from her home, said the area would never forget the tragic events.

She said: "I have had customers literally break down in tears in front of me. Everyone is just devastated."

Langworthy Primary head Martin Ferritt said the school held a special assembly on Monday to break the news to pupils.

He added: "Nazreen was a lovely girl, very hard-working and she will be greatly missed."

The couple also have two other children, 18-year-old Shahrian and 14-year-old Shajeen.

Although both Mr and Mrs Chowdhury had experienced racial abuse after moving to Salford from Bangladesh, a spokesperson for the fire service confirmed that pending a coroner's inquest, they were satisfied the cause of the fire was accidental.