Faulty charger blamed for fatal fire

http://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2014/may/12/faulty-charger-fatal-house-fire-sheffield

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A house fire that killed five members of the same family was probably caused by a faulty charger, police said.

Shabina Begum, 53, three grandchildren – Adyan Parwaiz Kayani, nine, Amaan, seven, and their nine-week-old sister Minahil – and Mrs Begum's daughter Anum Parwaiz, 20, the children's aunt, died in the blaze in Sheffield a fortnight ago.

South Yorkshire police said: "Following a joint investigation, South Yorkshire police and South Yorkshire fire and rescue have found that the most probable cause of the fatal house fire was an electrical fault involving a faulty charging device.

"However, the investigation continues on behalf of the coroner and a full inquest into the deaths of the three children and two women will take place at a future date."

More than 2,000 people attended the funerals of those who died last week. The main hall of the Madina mosque in Sheffield was packed for the ceremony, as were a number of other rooms and stairwells in the complex. Around 300 people prayed outside.

Before the funerals, Nazia Parwaiz Kayani, another daughter of Mrs Begum and aunt of the three children, cried as she remembered the bravery of her mother, who made her way to safety but died trying to rescue her grandchildren.

"Our thoughts would be incomplete without mentioning the selfless heroism of my beloved mother, Shabina Begum, who went back into the house to try and rescue the family she adored," she said. "She made the ultimate sacrifice."

She also praised one of her cousins who tried to get into the burning house.