Dr Abdul Shakoor, who lost his wife and five children in an Essex house fire, has broken down as he made a speech at their funeral.

Speaking publicly for the first time since the tragedy he said: "It is a shocking and heartbreaking tragedy to myself, immediate family members and close friends that, within such a short period of time, I lost everything in my life."

He quoted verses from the Koran and added: "I would like to express my thanks and gratitude to this community, the hospital and my colleagues and all of those who have come forward like a family at this devastating time."

Four hundred mourners joined Dr Shakoor at Harlow Islamic Centre to pay their respects.

Dr Shakoor lost his wife Sabah Usmani, who was also a doctor, and and their five children - Hira, 12, Sohaib, 11, Muneeb, nine, Rayyan, six, and Maheen, three, in the fire in the early hours of Monday 15th October.