Huddersfield fire deaths suspect Shahid Mohammed arrested in Pakistan

A man suspected of being involved in the deaths of eight members of a family in a house fire, has been arrested in Pakistan.

Shahid Mohammed, 32, is suspected of involvement in the murders of three generations of the Chisti family in 2002.

He was held by police in Pakistan following an international manhunt lasting years, after he fled while on bail shortly after being arrested over the blaze in Birkby, Huddersfield.

Extradition proceedings are expected to bring Mohammed to face trial in Britain.

Announcing his capture, West Yorkshire Police said it was the result of a joint operation with Pakistani authorities.

"A man who was arrested in connection with a fire which claimed the lives of eight people in Kirklees in 2002 has been detained in a non EU country, a police statement said.

"The 32-year-old was detained by police in the early hours of January 22 following months of detailed enquiries.

"His detention followed close work between West Yorkshire Police and local authorities as part of a 12 and a half year enquiry into a house fire in Birkby, Huddersfield, which claimed the lives of five children and three adults -- all members of the Chisti family.

"Judicial proceedings are now under way to return him to the UK to face charges."