Electrical Alterations Identified at Home Where Father and Son Died in Fire

An inquest has been informed that electrical modifications were carried out at a residence where a three-year-old boy and his father perished in a fire. Muhammad Esmael was discovered in a bedroom at the West Cross, Swansea, property around 13:30 on 1 July of the previous year. His father, Naemat Lawa Esmael, aged 51, was located on the front lawn and passed away in a hospital two days subsequent to the incident. Sharmeen Ahmed, Muhammad’s mother, testified at the inquest held at Swansea Guildhall, stating that her husband had undertaken home improvements, including some electrical work, at their council-owned residence. The inquest also heard that investigators discovered an extension lead had been wired into a socket within the room where the fire originated, a room that housed a storage unit containing items such as a games console and a TV. Jason Woodman, representing the Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service, informed the inquest that, “based on the balance of probabilities”, the fire commenced in that specific area. He further noted that no other potential fire sources were identified within the room. Mr. Woodman observed that heat and fire damage were present beneath the surface supporting the TV and console, adding that “charring” was visible underneath the area, despite the absence of photographic evidence. He suggested that the smoke detector might not have activated because the bedroom door was shut. An image presented during the inquest, depicting the remnants of a TV and games console unit, demonstrated significant damage. Forensic scientist Iain Peck testified to the inquest that he discovered no indication of a fault in any of the equipment, including extension cables, a TV, and a games console, which had been recovered from the first-floor bedroom. Assistant coroner Kirsten Heaven expressed to the inquest that it was “unfortunate” there was a lack of more detailed evidence, photography, and forensic analysis pertaining to the area. It was revealed during the inquest that Muhammad succumbed to exposure to the flames and surrounding burning materials. Ms. Ahmed, speaking via an interpreter, stated to the inquest her desire to ascertain the precise cause of the fire to prevent anyone else from enduring a similar experience. She remarked, “It would have been much easier for me to lose my life there and then, than go through all this sorrow now.” She informed the hearing that Muhammad and his father shared a very loving relationship, further adding that “he was the best dad”. Mrs. Ahmed recounted that her husband and Muhammad were upstairs getting ready to attend the mosque on the afternoon the blaze erupted, but upon her ascent upstairs, she observed flames reflected in a mirror. She informed the coroner that she could perceive “some noise” emanating from the fire alarm, but described it as low-pitched and intermittent. Ms. Ahmed, along with her teenage daughter, sustained smoke inhalation in the aftermath of the fire. Barry Kelly, an electrical expert affiliated with South Wales Police who evaluated the electrical consequences after the fire, stated during the inquest that certain items had been taken from the property prior to his arrival. He noted the presence of exposed electrical wiring in the living room, which presented a risk of serious electric shock if contacted, and also mentioned alterations in other sections of the house. In the room where the fire originated, he observed two severed cables protruding from the wall where a socket would typically be located, and that electrical items were missing. Consequently, he stated he was unable to provide an opinion regarding a potential cause of the fire. The inquest additionally received testimony from two firefighters, Leighton Brown and Gareth Davies, who reported that upon their arrival, the stairs banister, ceiling, and the entire landing were “covered in smoke and fire”. Mr. Brown further mentioned hearing “a few beeps” from the fire alarm. Siobhan Cooze of Swansea Council stated that the family occupied the house in 2021, noting that smoke alarms had been fitted there in 2020. She affirmed that electrical works were not authorized in council properties and that this policy was communicated to tenants “at several points” during the tenancy sign-in process. Thomas Mainwaring, an electrician for Swansea Council, explained that the local authority’s residences were equipped with hard-wired smoke alarms linked to a lighting circuit. He clarified that all alarms were interconnected, meaning that if one activated, all would sound, and a smoke alarm could emit a bleeping sound if the primary power supply was interrupted and the battery level was low. The inquiry remains ongoing.