Coroner Concludes Accidental Deaths of Nine-Year-Old Boy and Aunt in House Fire

A coroner has determined that a nine-year-old boy and his aunt passed away following an “accidental” house fire. Emergency responders were summoned to the address on Rawson Street, Selston, Nottinghamshire, during the early morning hours of January 14. Siobhan Abbott, aged 24, succumbed at Nottingham City Hospital on January 16, and Riley Chambers passed away two days subsequent to that at the Queen’s Medical Centre, also situated in Nottingham. Nathanael Hartley, an assistant coroner, informed a proceeding at Nottingham Coroner’s Court on Monday that the fatalities resulted “from injuries received in a house fire”. Testimony presented in court indicated Riley was characterized as “a poor sleeper” and had been put to bed around 19:30 GMT on January 13 in an upstairs bedroom, following his usual routine. Ms. Abbott came back to the residence two hours subsequent to this and proceeded to her upstairs room, concurrently, Riley’s parents and his sister retired to sleep in a downstairs room at approximately 22:30. Surveillance footage from the front of the dwelling captured a sequence of minor flashes preceding the activation of a smoke alarm shortly after 00:50. His parents and sister exited the premises via the kitchen. Fire personnel utilized a ladder to reach the upper floor and remove Ms. Abbott, whereas Riley, who was not in his bedroom, was discovered in an upstairs room, according to the inquest proceedings. A collaborative inquiry conducted by the Nottinghamshire Fire and Rescue Service and Nottinghamshire Police determined the absence of suspicious elements and no indication of external party involvement in the blaze, which originated in the downstairs hallway. Chris Navin, a station manager and fire investigator for the fire service, stated that the inquiry concluded the fire resulted from “a naked flame [that] had been brought into contact with combustible materials”. Mr. Hartley reported that four lighters were located within the residence, with two situated in Riley’s bedroom cupboard and one found in his parents’ wardrobe. He mentioned having been informed that Riley “appeared to have a slight fascination with fire,” but asserted that a determination of accidental death was “appropriate” considering his age and neurodiversity. “On the balance of probabilities, I find Riley started a small fire in the hallway,” he stated. “Sadly, that fire spread, resulting in significant damage to the property, leading to his and Siobhan’s deaths,” he added. Mr. Hartley extended his sympathies to the family of the deceased, observing that Ms. Abbott was characterized in court by a family member as “beautiful, spontaneous and gregarious.” “They will both, no doubt, be sorely missed by many,” he remarked. Subsequent to the inquest, Mr. Navin commented: “Following thorough investigations by ourselves and our colleagues at Nottinghamshire Police, and following the inquest today, the most probable cause of this tragic incident has been deemed as a naked flame combined with combustible materials.” “This is an extremely sad incident, and we would like to send our sincere condolences to the family and friends of both Riley and his aunt, Siobhan,” he concluded.