TWO brothers made an emotional appeal to catch the person responsible for an arson attack which claimed the lives of their parents exactly six months ago this week.

Manzoor Ahmad, 72, and Farhat Ahmad, 47, were killed in what seems to be a motiveless attack and are offering a reward of £5,000 to bring the killers to justice.

Police are treating their deaths as murder.

DI Mark Roycroft, who is leading the investigation for the Serious Crime Group West, said: "We are particularly concerned as no one has been charged for this horrible crime. We are now offering a £5,000 reward to try and jog people's memories and we hope witnesses will now come forward."

Police were called at about 1.15am on February 15 this year to West Avenue, Southall, where a couple were trapped inside a house which was on fire.

The couple's 17-year-old son Qasim managed to survive by jumping from a rear upstairs window and was transferred to Mount Vernon Hospital with burns to his arms and body.

The couple's eldest son Rahman made an appeal for the first time this week to try to catch those responsible.

He said: "If anyone has any information, please come forward to the police. We still can't understand why. Our parents were honest and caring people of the community and it is really saddening.

"I would like this person brought to justice. It has destroyed our lives."

Mr and Mrs Ahmad were popular members of the local community and were described as very friendly with everyone.

The family had lived in Southall for nearly 18 years and had always kept to themselves. Despite extensive investigations, police are still unable to establish a motive for the arson attack on their home.

The couple's youngest son Qasim, who turns 18 this week, has to live with what he saw on that fateful night.

He said: "Time is a healer. I saw what happened that night and I have to live with it night and day. This has changed my perspective on life. I have always got doubt in my mind.

"I had a few nightmares to begin with but I don't have any fears anymore. I just want this to end so we can carry on with our lives the best we can."

Police were able to confirm that the fire was started by some sort of accelerant but were unable to give further details.

DI Roycroft added: "We would like to speak to a young person seen near to the house on the evening it was set alight. He was about 18-30 years old and was wearing dark clothes."

Anyone with any information should contact Serious Crime Group West on 020 8358 0300

July 17, 2002 17:30