Winchester school gate reaction to arson deaths (From Hampshire Chronicle)

Winchester school gate reaction to arson deaths

3:29pm Tuesday 16th October 2012 in News Exclusive By Joseph Curtis

TEACHERS and parents have spoken of their shock this afternoon at the deaths of five members of the Shakoor family.

The Chronicle spoke this afternoon to the acting headmaster at Stanmore Primary School that three of the children attended.

Darren Nickerson said the deaths had shocked and upset pupils at the school, on Stanmore Lane: “We are very sad to hear the news of the tragic deaths of former members of our community. We have had some pupils come to us upset.”

Joanne Smith, 46, of Peninsula Road, West Hill, said: “Hira and my daughter Zara were quite close and used to walk home from school together. My children heard about their deaths on the news and were very shocked.

“Tears may come later but you never know how quickly will bounce back. Hira was a lovely girl and she and my daughter got on well because they were both very tall for their age. They were simply a lovely family and it’s hard to imagine why anyone would want to do that to another human being.”

The Shakoor family lived at staff accomodation at the Royal Hampshire County Hospital at Romsey Road before moving to Essex last year.