A faulty phone charger cost the lives of five people from the same family, who consequently died in a blaze, caused by the charger, in Sheffield, South Yorkshire.
The fire killed Amaan Parwaiz Kayani (7), Adyan Parwaiz Kayani (9), nine-week-old Minahil, their aunt, Anum Parwaiz (20) and their grandmother, Shabina Begum (53).
The incident took place in April 2014, and it is believed that the fire started shortly after the family went to sleep.
Firefighters had described the fire as “ferocious”, adding that it was the biggest loss of life in a calamitous fire for six years.
One of the family members, Sadaf Parwaiz's mobile phone was on charge, when she noticed flames sparking by the electric sockets in the living room. She said, “I saw a sparkle at first near the sofa where the electrical things were. At first I didn’t think it was a fire, I thought it was a toy flashing.”
She also mentioned how she tried to douse the flames with a cushion and called her mother, Shabina Begum for help when she was unable to extinguish the flames. “She tried to put it out with her own hands then went to the kitchen to get some water, but I didn’t see where she threw it."
The inquest in Sheffield were told how the grandmother of the children, Shabina Begum unlocked the door before running upstairs to get the children.
Coroner Chris Dorries said, “Your mum had an opportunity to escape from the house but she was very brave, wasn’t she?"
Parwaiz replied, “Yes. The fire was producing a lot of smoke. It got to the electric equipment and caused an explosion then all the lights went out."
The inquest also heard that 7-year-old Amaan's body was found under a bunk bed in his attic room by the firefighters. The Fire Officer for South Yorkshire Fire stated that “children often try and hide and find a place of safety when they are scared. It’s a natural reaction to the danger they are in."
The inquiry into this case still continues.
