A 14-year-old boy will appear at Balham Youth Court today (July 2), accused of the murder of a 15-year-old girl and the attempted murder of four members of her family.

Maleha Masud died last Thursday, four days after an arson attack at her home in Lessingham Avenue, Tooting, that left her three siblings fighting for their lives.

Police said her brothers Zain, 22, Junaid, 16, and sister Nabiha, 21, remain in a critical condition, suffering from burns and smoke inhalation.

Pupils and teachers at Burntwood School, where Maleha attended, held a memorial service for her on Wednesday.

A representative of the Masud family was due to attend the service - in which students and teachers read a eulogy, poems and religious texts - along with parents and religious leaders.

Last week their mother, Rubina, who survived the attack, asked the community to “pray for my children”.

Two teenage boys, aged 15 and 17, were arrested in connection with the incident but were released without charge.

Police said petrol was poured through the letterbox on to the laminate flooring of the semi-detached house about 4.30am, Sunday, June 21.

It exploded, shooting a fireball - reaching temperatures of up to 600 degrees fahrenheit - upstairs where the family were sleeping.

Neighbours managed to break into the house through a back door but were beaten back by flames.

Fire crews - who hosed water through the window in the front door - entered through the back door and rescued Junaid, Nabiha and Maleha on the first floor.

Zain and Rubina, 53, jumped from a first floor window. She was released from hospital a day later.

Nabiha, who is a South Thames College student, was recuscitated by paramedics at the scene.

If you have any information call police on 020 8721 4805 or call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

See tributes left to Maleha below, and leave your own message.

TRIBUTES

Kim Chappell, learning mentor at Hilbrook Schoool, where some of the Masud’s children attended, said: “During their time here the Masuds were supportive members of the school community, while Zain, Nabiha, Junaid and Maleha are fondly remembered as gentle, hard working children with bright futures.

It remains both shocking and incomprehensible that such a terrible act be committed against such a lovely family.

"Our thoughts and prayers are with them all at this terrible time.”

Helen Dorfman, principal at Burntwood School, said: "The thoughts and prayers of the school community are with her family at this terrible time.

"Maleha was a lovely girl, and she had many friends, both in her own year and throughout the school.

"As a community we want to share our sympathy with Maleha’s family and we are making a book of condolence over the next week. There will be a memorial assembly for her. "

Schoolfriends left flowers at the house today. One friend said: "She didn't have any enemies, she was such a nice girl."

Another added: "I don't know how anyone could do this."

Tooting MP Sadiq Khan said: "I spoke to the family today and met with the Iman and faith groups, they are all praying for her.”

Leave your tribute to Maleha and thoughts for the family below.