10 hours ago
Blaze that killed 'lovely little girl', nine, and her father while mother 'was away on Eid pilgrimage' could have been started by tumble dryer, fire chairman says
A devastating house fire that killed a 'lovely little' nine-year-old girl and her father could have been started by a tumble dryer, a fire chairman has said.
The inferno engulfed the family's red-brick semi-detached home on Russell Close in Heckmondwike, West Yorkshire, at around 5am yesterday, while the mother was in Saudi Arabia for Hajj during Eid celebrations.
While on the pilgrimage, she had left her taxi driver husband, who locals today named as Sohaib Ahmed, 38, in charge of their two daughters and son.
Neighbours say the boy, who is the family's eldest, had been staying with relatives on Saturday night and was not at home when the fire broke out.
However, his two young sisters aged nine and 11 were inside the property with their father.
All three had to be rescued from the burning building by firefighters, but Mr Ahmed was tragically pronounced dead at the scene and his daughter Manahil Ahmed died yesterday in hospital.
The 11-year-old girl remains in critical condition as she continues to fight for her life.
The family's mother, Asifa Ahmed, 38, is thought to have touched back down in the country today after flying back from the Middle East.
Devastated neighbours today said they 'don't know how' Mrs Ahmed will deal with the grief of losing both her husband and her 'sweet, lovely little girl', Manahil.
One said: 'Everyone knew her and the rest of the family; they'd lived here over a decade and were very nice people. We're praying the other sister pulls through. What's happened is awful news.'
Former neighbours Andy Boys, 30, and Mehvish Iqbal, 29, lay floral tributes outside the fire damaged house, which has the doorway boarded up after firefighters wrenched off the front door to gain entry into the blazing building.
Mr Iqbal said: 'My son used to play outside with her little girl, the one that has passed away. It is just awful.
'To know that the mother is away in Mecca and she is coming back to this, I don't know how she is going to deal with it mentally. The girls are lovely little girls, I pray that her older sister pulls through.'
Mr Boys added: 'They were lovely neighbours, we lived next door.'
Ali Arshad, a borough councillor in Heckmondwike, said the full community was in shock, adding: 'The lady had gone to perform Hajj. It should have been a joyous time for her, now we're looking at a tragedy for the whole family.'
West Yorkshire Police said it is still investigating the cause of the fire, but Darren O'Donovan, a councillor for Dewsbury West and chairman of the fire authority, said the blaze may have been started by a tumble dryer.
Mr O'Donovan said: 'It's clearly a tragic event for the family and people that live in that neighbourhood.
'My thoughts and condolences go out to the family and those affected by this. We believe that the fire started about an hour before the 999 call came in.'
He said early indications suggested 'the fire started in the kitchen area and its ignition source was a tumble dryer.'
'There are a number of tumble dryers that have been recalled by a number of manufacturers,' he added.
'That's the tragedy: this was just a local family on a very regular street in Heckmondwike and a tragic accident has taken place.
'I think the community is rallying and pulling together to support other members of the family and friends that are affected by this.'
Another neighbour recalled witnessing the fire tear through the property and said it 'seemed to go on forever'.
They said: 'I heard sirens on Sunday morning and then looked out to see the smoke and the emergency crews doing CPR on the dad and kids. It seemed to go on forever, it was horrendous.'
He said the children attended Crossley Fields Junior and Infant School.
Councillor Viv Kendrick, who represents the Heckmondwike ward, said she was 'horrified' after the incident.
West Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service said it sent four crews to tackle the blaze, which was reported at around 6am.
Detective Inspector Paul Greatorex, of West Yorkshire Police, said: 'We are continuing to work with colleagues at the fire service to investigate this dreadfully sad incident, which has resulted in a father and daughter losing their lives.
'Extensive inquiries have been ongoing since yesterday and we have been working to locate and support relatives of the victims both here and outside of the UK at what is clearly an awful time for the family.
'While our inquiries remain ongoing, we do not believe there are any suspicious circumstances regarding the cause of the fire and will be preparing a file for the coroner in due course.
'Our support for the family involved clearly also still continues.'
Cllr O'Donovan said that the fire and rescue service would have an increased presence in the neighbourhood over the next few days to speak with neighbours about fire prevention measures.
He encouraged people to check they had working smoke alarms, a night-time routine which included turning off electrical equipment and closing internal doors and to check the recall lists for tumble dryers from brands including Hoover, Haier, Candy, Lamona, Capel, Baumatic, Montpellier and Iberna.
