Four people were killed at the house at Wood Hill, Leicester (Reuters)
Four people were killed at the house in Wood Hill, Leicester (Reuters)

An 18-year-old man has been charged with the murder of a mother and her three children in a house fire in Leicester.

The suspect, who has not been named by police, has been charged with the murders of Shehnila Taufiq, her daughter Zainab, and two sons, Jamal and Bilal, in the fire at the house in the Wood Hill area of the city.

All four were found dead in an upstairs bedroom by firefighters.

Police are still investigating if the fire is linked to the murder of Antoin Akpom, who was stabbed in an attack not far from the home a few hours earlier. Police have ruled out racism as a motivation in both crimes.

The accused is due to appear at Leicester Magistrates' Court.

Asst Chief Constable Roger Bannister said: "I will continue to oversee the investigation and the wider impact on people in the city but the day-to-day investigation will continue to be run by the senior investigating officer, Det Supt Kate Meynell.

"The specialist support we have already provided to victims' families will continue. We recognise how important it is for that support.

"We do not believe at this moment that either the murder of Antoin Akpom or the murders on Wood Hill are racially motivated."

Leicestershire Police have renewed their appeals for witnesses.

Separately, Abdul Hakim, 19, of Wood Hill, has appeared in court charged with Akpom's murder.