'Firework killed my family and destroyed my life'

A man whose wife and three children were killed in a house fire in west London believed to have been caused by a firework has said the night "destroyed my life".

Aroen Kishen was celebrating Diwali with his wife Seema, their children Riyan, 11, Arohi, eight, and Shanaya, four, and friends at their home in Hounslow when it became engulfed in flames.

London Fire Brigade (LFB) believes the most probable cause of the fire was a firework igniting combustible recycling in a bin next to the house. It is not known where the firework came from.

Nearly two years on, ahead of Diwali on Monday, Mr Kishen warned "if you use fireworks, you could lose everything".

"That night, I lost my wife Seema, our three children Riyan, Arohi, Shanaya, and two family friends, Nitin and Sandhaya (Chopra)," Mr Kishen said.

"I wish they were still alive, because what happened that night destroyed my life."

Recalling the day, Mr Kishen said: "Diwali in 2023 started as a normal day with my family.

"In the afternoon we prayed at home together, then we went to the gurdwara in Southall and visited with some family nearby. We all had dinner together and put the children to bed ready for school the next day.

"Shortly after that, I saw the fire. I tried to go upstairs to help my family, but I lost consciousness. I don't know what happened after that. When I woke up, the whole house was on fire."

About 70 firefighters tackled the blaze on 12 November 2023, which spread from the ground floor to the roof and caused the internal staircase to partly collapse.

Mr Kishen urged people think about those around them before they used fireworks, and warned that they "aren't a game".

The bereaved father said: "I want the public to think about those around them before using fireworks.

"Fireworks aren't a game and it's not a movie, it's real life.

"Listen to my story and celebrate with your family, at a party or at your place of worship. If you use fireworks, you could lose everything."

The fire happened during what was LFB's busiest Diwali since 2010.

It said control officers had taken 710 emergency calls and handled 17 firework-related calls and incidents during that 24-hour period.

Paul Askew, the brigade's deputy assistant commissioner, said: "This incident sadly highlights the dangers that we know exist with fireworks.

"We're urging Londoners to listen to Mr Kishen's story and follow our advice by attending a safer, organised fireworks display this year."

He stressed that anyone who intend to host their own display should buy fireworks from a reputable seller with a CE safety mark, and secure them properly in the ground, far from buildings, trees and animals.

"As we approach Diwali, Halloween and Bonfire Night, we wish everyone a safe fireworks season," he added.

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