Fire that killed two sisters was started by candles in flat below

Fire that killed two sisters was started by candles in flat below

An investigation into a tragic fire in Aberdeen has determined that the blaze, which claimed the lives of two sisters, originated from candles in a neighboring flat. The victims, Aanchal and Shikshya Subedi, aged 28 and 24 respectively, died in a fire that broke out at a block on Back Hilton Road in January 2024. Authorities conducted a joint examination of the incident involving both police and fire services, ultimately finding no suspicious elements surrounding the cause of the fire.

According to a report from the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service (SFRS), obtained by BBC Scotland News via a Freedom of Information request, the fire initially ignited a mattress in the bedroom of the lower flat. The situation worsened rapidly due to a lithium battery involved in the fire, which accelerated the spread of flames. Firefighters arrived at the scene to find the sisters already overcome by smoke inhalation, and both were pronounced dead.

The emergency response to the fire on the evening of January 29 saw SFRS deploy seven fire engines alongside specialized units. The two sisters originally came from Nepal and moved to Aberdeen with their family during their childhood. Following this tragic event, an online fundraiser was established in their memory, raising significant financial support for the family.

In the weeks after the fire, the Subedi family enlisted the help of a legal firm to seek further clarity and answers about the circumstances of the blaze. Susan Subedi, the sisters’ 35-year-old sibling, spoke publicly about the devastating impact of their passing, emphasizing the deep loss felt by those left behind. She expressed the difficulty of coping with their deaths, stating, “To say we are devastated doesn’t come close to describing how we feel.” The family remains determined to understand more, with law firm Digby Brown promising to investigate all available evidence to assist in their search for truth. Meanwhile, the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service confirmed that after a thorough inquiry, no further legal action would be taken with regard to the case

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