AN inquest into the death of a Great Harwood man who died after he was found on fire outside his home was adjourned today after more than half the witnesses failed to turn up.

Parvez Shah, 23, of Princess Street, died in hospital after suffering 75 per cent burns in a blaze at the house he shared with his wife Nahid and their baby son Hamza.

Coroner Andre Rebello slammed the non-attendance at today's hearing as "outrageous" - only 15 of 43 turned up.

Mr Rebello issued summonses and adjourned the case indefinitely until members of Mr Shah's family return from a trip to Pakistan.

He said: "I am suspicious that people have been intentionally obstructive. One person told police officers they could not attend because they had an important appointment. I received a letter this morning to tell me it was a coffee morning. This is absolutely outrageous."

Mrs Shah, 20, was charged with her husband's murder but the case against her was withdrawn by the Crown Prosecution Service due to lack of evidence.

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