Detectives still questioning man on suspicion of double murder in Burnley

The 51-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of two counts of murder, two of rape and one of arson with intent to endanger life following the deaths of Dr Saman Mir Sacharvi (49), and a girl believed to be her 14-year-old daughter, Vian Mangrio.

On Tuesday, officers were granted a Warrant of Further Detention which allows them to keep the arrested man in custody for questioning for an additional 36 hours which is set to expire later today.

The bodies of the pair were at an address in Colne Road, Reedley, on Thursday.There was also evidence of smoke and fire damage inside the address.

A Home Office post-mortem on Saturday revealed Dr Sacharvi died as a result of pressure to the neck. She had also suffered an assault.

The second body has yet to be formally identified but is believed to be Miss Mangrio. The post-mortem investigation remains ongoing for her, although police can confirm she was found badly burnt inside the address.

A second man who had been arrested on suspicion of the same offences was released without charge on Monday.

Det Supt Jon Holmes, Head of Major Crime at Lancashire Police, said: “Our thoughts remain with Saman and Vian’s family and we have specially-trained officers supporting them at this awful time."