Fire that killed gran and disabled son possibly caused by 'faulty' tumble dryer
A fire which killed a grandmother and her son may have been caused by a "faulty" tumble dryer, a hearing was told.
Champagauri Bhatt, 86, and her son Dipak Bhatt, 66, lost their lives when a blaze broke out at their home in Edgware, north London, on March 29 last year. A pre-inquest review hearing at North London Coroner's Court on Tuesday was told that two investigators believe the fire was started by their Whirlpool dryer.
Barrister Adam Korn, representing the Bhatt family, said: "Investigator Dr Jarrett believes the fire occurred as a result of the failure or fault of the condensate drain pump terminal, or the EMI filter terminal. Investigator Mr Ansel believes the fire was caused by an electrical fault at the door switch of the tumble-dryer."
The court also heard that another investigator, Mr Jonathan-Thomas, has suggested that there could be an "external" cause to the fire - possibly a cigarette butt. Mr Korn said that Paven Bhatt, the grandson of Champagauri and nephew of Dipak, could provide "evidence" which refutes that theory.
He said: "Whirlpool's investigator, Mr Jonathan-Thomas, has given one theory of an "external" cause, that the fire was caused by a cigarette butt. But Paven Bhatt, grandson and nephew of the deceased persons, who is sitting beside me in court, can provide evidence against this. The smoker was his uncle, Dipak, but he was, if I can put it this way, a supervised smoker. He was brain damaged and so Paven's grandmother lit the cigarettes and put them out for him. He can offer evidence of that."
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Barrister Dominic Adamson, representing the tumble-dryer manufacturer Whirlpool, asked the Coroner whether the cause of the fire could be excluded from the scope of the inquest.
He said: "We have differing expert opinions on the cause of the fire, so I ask whether it is necessary to determine the cause of the fire?
"I would argue it is not - that it is not in scope. An inquest should be inquisitorial, but it should not be an inquiry. I understand that the family is in the process of filing a civil claim, so there is no public interest in seeking to resolve an issue that is likely to be the subject of further legal proceedings."
But Coroner Dr Peter Straker disagreed, replying: "I understand, but I do think it is worthwhile to understand the possibilities if we can."
Mr Korn added: "In summary, it has been submitted that resolution of whether an electrical fault caused the fire should be ruled out of scope. In response, we say that it is difficult to say what other function the inquest should serve - other than to look into the cause of the fire. There is importance in this evidence, both for the family, and in the interest of preventing future deaths."
Dr Straker agreed, adding: "I favour the approach that it is within the scope of the inquest to try to find out the cause of the fire. Although the experts have differing views, we can hear their views - and develop a greater understanding of whether it happened inside the machine or outside the machine."
He also ordered Whirlpool to disclose further information requested by investigator Dr Jarrett. Dr Straker added: "Whirlpool should, as requested by Dr Jarrett, provide clarification for the reason for selecting a different EMI filter for later models, and an explanation for any other fires which could have occurred with this particular unit." He then set the date for the full inquest, which is scheduled to be heard in November this year.
The Mirror has contacted Whirlpool for comment.
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