In Britain an 18-year-old man has been charged with murder over a fire which killed the wife and children of a Dublin-based doctor. Mohammad Taufiq's wife three children died in the blaze at their home in Leicester last Friday.

Shehnila Tafiq, who was in her 40s, died in the Wood Hill area along with her 19-year-old daughter Zainab and sons Bilal, 17, and Jamal, 15.

The suspect, who police have yet to name, will appear at Leicester Magistrates Court tomorrow.

Police in England had arrested five people in connection with the fatal house fire.

Dr. Muhammad Taufiq, who works as a neurosurgeon at a number of Dublin hospitals, said he deeply misses his wife and three children.

Speaking at the Jame Mosque in Leicester last week he said "All of you know the tragic incident in...which my entire family has passed away. I deeply miss my beautiful wife and three beautiful children. What has happened has happened, and nothing can be reversed".

"But I hope justice will prevail and in future this should not happen to any family in the UK" he added.

The fire had been linked to the murder of 19-year-old Antoin Akpom during a street assault in the city. However police have ruled out a connection and said that neither were believed to be "racially motivated".

The Taufiq family, originally from Pakistan, had a home in Ireland for at least 15 years before the children moved to the UK with their mother about five years ago for Islamic education.

Steve Chappell, chief crown prosecutor at CPS East Midlands, said lawyers had decided there was sufficient evidence to charge and that it was in the public interest for a prosecution to take place.

He said "It is important to note that proceedings are now active, and the accused is entitled to a fair trial. Nothing should be said or reported that would prejudice that right".