A YOUNG wife, who was desperate to have a baby, died in a human torch horror, an inquest heard yesterday.

Jamila Ahmed, 21, was receiving fertility treatment after two miscarriages in her four-year marriage.

She bought a 99p bottle of white spirit from a hardware shop, then, in the early hours, went into her sister Tahira's bedroom, stroked her head and her two-year-old son's, and told them to sleep.

Her mother-in-law, Kalida, 41, heard Mrs Ahmed scream in Punjabi over the baby monitor intercom: "Mother, save me."

The family found her in the kitchen engulfed in flames. They fought to save her with soaked towels and a pan of water, but she died in hospital the next day.

Her husband, Nasim, 22, told Teesside Coroner Michael Sheffield that his wife seemed all right when he spoke to her during the afternoon.

Mr Sheffield said: "This is a very sad story. She was young, no note was found, nor any indication that she intended to end her life through what used to be a traditional way, but I trust no longer is.

"Although it may be likely that she intended to take her life, I cannot be entirely sure of her intent. She cried out 'save me, mother' to draw attention to herself, but it went too far."

He recorded an open verdict on her death at her home in Roman Road, Middlesbrough, on May 1 last year.