A man accused of murdering two children in a Bradford house fire is to face a third murder charge after their mother lost her battle for life.

Asjid Mahmood, 21, listened from the dock as news of Iram Shah’s death was broken to Bradford Crown Court yesterday.

Mahmood, of Pollard Lane, Undercliffe, Bradford, was making his first appearance at the Crown Court, charged with the murders of Alina Shah, ten, and her brother Aman, eight, at their home in Hendford Drive, Pollard Park, on July 6.

Mrs Shah, 30, suffered severe burns in the suspected arson attack. She was being treated in a specialist burns unit at Pinderfields Hospital in Wakefield, where she died on Monday night.

It was reported that she had jumped from an upstairs window in flames trying to escape the inferno which engulfed her home.

Malcolm Taylor, for the Crown, said: “I regret to have to tell the court that Iram Shah, the mother of the two deceased children, also passed away last night.”

He added: “The Crown intends to add to the indictment a count of murder in respect of that lady.”

Mr Taylor told the court there was a great deal of evidence still to gather in the case.

“There is an active investigation. Another person was arrested and is now on police bail,” he said.

Mr Taylor suggested to the Recorder of Bradford, Judge James Stewart QC, that the trial should be moved to a courtroom away from the city.

“There is a great deal of sentiment and, indeed, anger in the community from which the parties come,” he said.

“It may be more appropriate to move the case from the seat of the anger.”

The judge said the court would be “extremely reluctant” to move the trial elsewhere.

“It is a Bradford case and should be tried in Bradford,” he said.

Judge Stewart listed the case for a two-week trial, starting on January 4.

Mahmood will next be back in court on October 8 for a case management hearing when he will be expected to enter pleas to the charges.

Wearing a white T-shirt, he sat with his arms folded throughout the proceedings.

His barrister, Yunus Valli, said: “There is no application for bail but, in due course, we intend to make one.”

Police are continuing to appeal for anyone with any information about the fire to contact the Homicide and Major Enquiry Team at Bradford on (01274) 376575 or text 07786200805, starting the message with the word FIRE.