DETECTIVES investigating the death of a mother and her two young children in a smoke-filled car believe she lit a fire in the footwell herself.

However, relatives of Nabeala Hussain cannot believe that she would do something so irrational.

They spoke of their shock after police announced they were trying piece together the last moments of her life before she took "such drastic action".

Her cousin Nasir Bashir, who owns the Madina Foodstore, across the road from the family's home in Gresham Road, Middlesbrough, said they were stunned by the news.

Mr Bashir said: "We are not quite sure what to make of this because we cannot think of any reason for it.

"She was always such a happy person and was always smiling so we cannot understand why she would do this.

"Her husband is in a really bad way. He has been devastated by what has happened. I don't what he will do."

Mrs Hussain, 23, was born and raised in Middlesbrough but met 30-year-old Pervez Aktar, who does not speak English, in Kashmir, and they married four years ago.

A food production worker in Middlesbrough, he is too upset to talk of his grief.

Their two children, Danial, aged three, and Salia, aged one, died in the tragedy on Walpole Street at 4.30pm on Thursday.

Police now believe Mrs Hussain set fire to her handbag and left it in the front of her Vauxhall Astra before getting into the back with the youngsters.

The fire spread to the dashboard and quickly filled the car with smoke.

Their mother died at the scene and despite frantic rescue attempts the children were pronounced dead on arrival at Middlesbrough General Hospital.

A post mortem examination revealed they died of smoke inhalation.

Detective Inspector Karnail Dulku, who is leading the investigation, said yesterday: "Clearly things were not as they seemed with Nabeala.

"We need to speak to people who know Nabeala and her family, spoke to her that day or in the days before this tragedy. We want to speak to anyone who was close to her.

"We are anxious to speak to all her friends and any members of the Asian community that may have information pertinent to this inquiry."

Inquests are expected to be opened this week while funeral arrangements for Mrs Hussain and her two children are still being made.

Anyone with information is asked to call (01642) 303126.