On the evening of June 23rd 2008 an arsonist set fire to a wheelie bin outside a home in Bolton.
It was one of a series of similar attacks in the district in recent weeks.
But this time it was to have devastating consequences when the fire spread and ignited the gas mains supply.
Hameeda Begum, 71, died soon after she was carried from the blazing house in Little Holme Walk, Great Lever.
But the flames continued to claim victims long after they were put out.
Doctors fought to bring her daughter Saima and granddaughter Alana back from the brink.
But after a month in a hospital's intensive care unit Alana too died, aged four.
The broken family then had to break the news to Saima that she had lost her mother and daughter.
In bravely going into the house to help rescue the family firefighter, Steven Morris, suffered 50 per cent burns to his hands, lower back, and legs, when he was caught in a fireball.
Now GMP has issued a fresh appeal for information on the 12 anniversary of the arson attack and a £50,000 reward has been offered for breakthrough information.
Martin Bottomley of GMP’s Cold Case Unit said: “Today marks 12 years since the fatal arson attack which tragically resulted in the deaths of Hameeda and Alana Begum.
“This very sad case still resonates with the local community and we will continue to investigate any intelligence or lead which could lead us to convict someone of these horrendous crimes. We have not given up hope and remain determined as ever to find their killer and provide the family with the justice they deserve.
“We will never be able to reunite this family with their lost ones, but by finding those responsible we will hopefully be able to offer this suffering family a small amount of solace by providing answers to their questions which have remained unanswered for far too long.
“If anyone at all has any information that could help lead us to those responsible, please come forward and speak to police. I understand that this event took place 12 years ago, but I believe that there are people in the community who may have valuable information that can assist our investigation.
“The £50,000 reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of those responsible remains in place and we are aware that allegiances change over time. We will not close this case until those responsible are brought to justice.”
Anyone with any information should contact police on 0161 856 5978.
At the time of the fire Saima's brother Qaisar, said:: “How can I describe what my sister is going through – losing a child after losing a mother? She couldn’t cope with it.
"She kept crying and crying and screaming and the family was trying to calm her down.”
The fire was discovered at 11.30pm.
Shortly after, police arrested a 22-year-old man and a 12-year old boy but struggled to find evidence. It then emerged that witnesses were being threatened.
Hameeda's grieving husband Mumtaz Chishty paid tribute to his wife and said he is convinced she saved his life.
Mr Chishty and Hameeda Begum had been married for 45 years.He said at the time:"I've known her all my life. She was a dedicated and devoted grandmother, mother, wife and member of the community.
"She had a great sense of humour and if anyone ever came to her for help she was always there for them.
"That night, I truly feel that she saved my life. She woke me up when the alarm went off. I feel that she sacrificed her life to save her children and me."
"On the day of the fire, she was calling relatives from all over the world. These are the lasting images of her."
