Shafiqul, 28, and his accomplice Jahurul set fire to his foster parents Saider Ali, 55, and Dilara Begum, 35, and Shafiqul's son Shagor, 3, when they were sleeping at their Fulbari house in the town on Friday night.

Childless Saider Ali, a trader, reared his nephew Shafiqul as his own son, locals said, adding that Shafiqul, father of two, indulged in anti-social activities.

He used to torture his wife Selina. As it reached the level of intolerance, she went to her father's house with her daughter several months ago.

A few days ago, Saider Ali took

the decision to bequeath his three houses to Shagor.

Furious at the decision, Shafiqul, aided by Jahurul, attempted to kill the three by setting fire after spreading petrol on them.

Hearing their cries, locals came to their rescue and doused the fire. They took the three to Mohammad Ali Hospital in Bogra where they succumbed to their injuries at around 9:00am yesterday.

The dead bodies were sent for autopsy.

Shafiqul and Johurul are absconding.