A murder inquiry is under way after a mother and her four daughters were found dead in their beds following a fire at their home.
Caneze Riaz, 39, and her daughters, Sayrah, 16, Sophia, 15, Alicia, 10 and three-year-old Hannah, were all killed in the blaze in the early hours of Wednesday at their end terrace house in Accrington, Lancashire.
Detectives said it was a "top line of inquiry" to speak to Mrs Riaz's husband Mohammed, 49, who was pulled to safety by firefighters from the house.
The children, described by neighbours as "little angels", had been enjoying a Halloween night party just hours before the fire.
Mrs Riaz had earlier visited her son, Adam, 17, who is in The Christie Hospital, Manchester, being treated for leukaemia.
Police have broken the news that his mother and sisters are dead.
Mrs Riaz was described as a very active and popular woman. Neighbours said her husband was more reserved who worked at a local plastics firm but rarely went out of the house.
Detective Superintendent Mick Gradwell said Mr Riaz is in a critical condition in Wythenshawe Hospital, Manchester, with officers ready to question him when he is well enough.
A substance had been used to start several separate fires within the family home, Mr Gradwell added.
Police said the local community was "staggered" at the murders of a well known and popular family. Mrs Riaz, who was mixed race, with English and Pakistani parents, was described as a "pillar of the community" and one of the best known Asian women in the town.
