An inquest has heard allegations that a 22-year-old Shropshire mother who died from severe burns was sprayed with a flammable liquid by her husband and another man.The claim was made during the inquest of Samaira Arif, of Ripley Close, Leegomery, Telford.

Mrs Arif was injured on November 9, 2006, when her sari caught fire on a gas cooker at home and she died on December 20, 2006.

The inquest yesterday heard that Mrs Arif’s father, who declined to attend the inquest, told police in January 2007 that he believed her death had not been accidental.

Mrs Arif’s husband, Arfan Arif, and his family have strenuously denied the allegations.

Mr Arif’s father Mohamed Arif, told the inquest at Telford Magistrates Court the allegations were “a disgrace” and “insulting”.

Acting Detective Inspector Paul Mathison of Telford Police told the inquest his team received anonymous phone calls in the days after Mrs Arif died.

He said: “We received a call from someone claiming to be Samaira’s father. He said her husband and a white man had sprayed flammable liquid on Samaira to set her on fire because her husband wanted rid of her.”

The tragedy happened as Mrs Arif was preparing food at the home she shared with her taxi driver husband and members of their family.

Family members tried to put out the fire and alerted emergency services, while her brother-in-law, Amar Arif, burned his hand in the process, the inquest was told.

Paramedics and family members carried Mrs Arif upstairs to the bathroom where they poured cold water over her until an air ambulance arrived.

The inquest continues.