Heater sparked killer fire
MUM AND THREE CHILDREN DIE IN HOUSE BLAZE TRAGEDY
THE tragic fire which claimed the lives of a mum and her three children was started when a heater was accidentally turned on by youngsters trying to charge an iPad, the M.E.N. can reveal.
Fierce flames swept through the terraced home of the Umerji family, killing mother Aneesa, her five-yearold daughter, Khadija, and two sons Hammad, 12, and Yusuf 10.
Mrs Umerji’s husband, Zubair, jumped from a first floor window as the blaze tore through his Bolton home and was injured frantically trying to smash windows and the front door with his bare hands to get back in to save his trapped family.
Tragically, he could not get through, and was taken to hospital where relatives are understood to be comforting and supporting him.
Mr and Mrs Umerji’s family have said they are in ‘total shock.’
In a statement released through the Bolton Council of Mosques (BCOM), the family said the fire was accidental and confirmed it was caused by a halogen heater.
They added: “We are aware that all the emergency services did everything they could to rescue the family members and we appreciate their efforts.
“The families are in total shock at the events of Saturday morning where an accidental fire caused by a halogen heater led to the sad fatalities of Aneesa, Hammad, Yusuf and Khadija.
“We are also humbled and overwhelmed with the support received from the wider community of Bolton and surrounding towns.
“We are very grateful to BCOM for their continued support in our difficult time. The families are still trying to come to terms with what has happened and are focused on offering support to each other.
“We respectfully request that you all pray for the departed and allow the families to come to terms with their tragic loss.
“Thank you once again for everyone’s kind words and support, they have provided much-needed strength in these very testing times.”
Local residents have told the M.E.N. they have heard the blaze started after the older children charging the iPad in the front room accidentally switched on a heater at the same time which set fire to nearby furniture, quickly ripping through the small house.
One of the children was pronounced dead at the scene on Rosamund Street in the Daubhill area of the town at about 9am.
Mrs Umerji, 40, and her two other children died later in hospital.
Senior firefighter Tony Hunter, assistant county fire officer with Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service, said fire crews found Mr Umerji ‘distraught’ at the scene.
“We found a man who had jumped from the first floor window, straight through the window on to concrete,” he said.
“He got up and then was smashing his hands through the glass of the ground floor window. He was breaking the windows with his hands. He was covered in cuts.
“He was absolutely distraught, screaming his wife and children were in there.”
Mr Hunter said it took four firefighters and specialist equipment to break the front door down. He described the fire as intense and revealed the heat had stripped plaster away from the walls.
“Fire crews made their way up in no visibility whatsoever, fighting the fire as they were going up the stairs and located the three children and mother and then carried them down,” he said.
“I spoke to crews when I got there they were very emotional about it.”
Bolton Council of Mosques said funeral details have not yet been announced.
It added: “Management are working closely with the family in relation to the funeral arrangements and will send official messages.”
It is understood the family attend the Jamia Darul Quran Masjid mosque on Bridgeman Street in the Deane area of Bolton.
Among the flood of tributes was one from Bolton boxer Amir Khan, who is in India at the moment. He told the M.E.N.: “It’s with sadness this tragic event has happened and upon my return I will try and help the family any way I can.
“I read about the tragedy on social media and immediately got in touch with BCoM to offer my help to the family.
“I have them in all my prayers and depending on my travel plans will try my best to attend the funerals.”