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Deadly fire for boy and dad was electrical - coroner

Family picture Muhammad Esmael in a Spiderman t shirt is held by his smiling fatherFamily picture
Muhammad Esmael and his father died in the fire

A house fire that led to the deaths of a three-year-old and his father was likely to be electrical in origin, a coroner has found.

Muhammad Esmael was found in a bedroom at the house in West Cross, Swansea, at about 13:30 BST on 1 July last year.

His father Naemat Lawa Esmael, 51, was found lying on the front lawn and died in hospital two days later.

The inquest at Swansea Guildhall heard there was evidence of electrical work that fell "below the standard" of a competent electrician.

Fire damage can be seen on the exterior of the family's house, with the two windows on the first floor missing and smoke damage around the smaller of the two windows. Three people wearing white outfits and blue helmets are talking outside the front door. A number of floral tributes and teddy bears can be seen on the pavement outside.
An inquest in Swansea heard Muhammad Esmael's father had carried out some electrical work at the property

The inquest previously heard Mr Esmael had made home improvements in the family’s council-owned house, including some electrical work.

Assistant coroner Kirsten Heaven said Swansea council did not know about, and did not authorise, any electrical works to be carried out.

Investigators found an extension lead had been wired into a socket in the room where the fire started, where a storage unit contained items including a games console and a TV.

Forensic scientist Iain Peck told the inquest he found no evidence of a fault with any of the equipment, including extension cables, a TV and a games console, which had been taken from the first-floor bedroom.

Jason Woodman of Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service (MWWFS) told the inquest that, "based on the balance of probabilities", the fire had started in that area.

Recording a narrative conclusion, Ms Heaven said it was "unfortunate" that there was no further detailed evidence, photography and forensic analysis of the area.

Great bravery

She concluded that the fire was "probably electrical in origin" although she was unable to reach a conclusion as to the precise electrical fault.

Ms Heaven also said the smoke detector may not have sounded because the door of the bedroom was closed, or that the electrical circuit had tripped, and the batteries were flat.

Ms Heaven said she was satisfied that the fire alarms were in good condition when Swansea Council installed them in 2020, and that they didn’t need to be checked until 2025.

She told the inquest she would make two prevention of death reports to Welsh government, due to the smoke alarms not sounding, and MWWFS due to the removal of electrical items from the bedroom.

"I offer my condolences to the family in what has must been a very traumatic situation," Ms Heaven told Muhammad’s mother, Sharmeen Ahmed.

"Ms Ahmed, giving evidence in this showed great bravery, you should be very proud of yourself."

Floral tributes and two teddy bears are laid against a wooden fence by the pavement near the home of Muhammad Esmael
Floral tributes and teddy bears were left outside the house following the fire

Speaking on behalf of the family, Hoshman Esmael, said they acknowledge the findings into the “tragic passing” of Naemat and Mohammad Esmael.

“I want to thank, especially, the Swansea community who are still continuing their support to the kids, we cannot thank them enough,” he said.

Swansea Muslim Consortium said it has implemented welfare measures, including access to mosque Imams and Muslim chaplaincy services, following the deaths of their members.

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