Aroen Kishen had been celebrating Diwali with his wife Seema, their children Riyan, 11, and Arohi, eight, and four-year-old Shanaya, and family friends at their home in Hounslow in November 2023
A father, whose wife and three children were tragically killed in a house fire believed to have been sparked by a firework, has spoken out about how the incident “destroyed my life”, warning others that “if you use fireworks, you could lose everything”.
Aroen Kishen was celebrating Diwali with his wife Seema, their children Riyan, 11, Arohi, eight, and four year old Shanaya, along with family friends at their Hounslow home in November 2023.
Nearly two years later, ahead of Diwali on Monday, Mr Kishen has recounted the horrific night when his family home was consumed by flames.
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Mr Kishen said: “That night, I lost my wife Seema, our three children Riyan, Arohi, Shanaya, and two family friends, Nitin and Sandhaya (Chopra). I wish they were still alive because what happened that night destroyed my life.”
The London Fire Brigade (LFB) believes the most likely cause of the fire was a firework igniting flammable recycling waste in a plastic recycling bin next to the house. The origin of the firework remains unknown.
Earlier this year, a coroner ruled in the inquest into their deaths that the six individuals died in a “tragic accident”, having been “very quickly overwhelmed by smoke fumes”, according to the LFB.
Mr Kishen recalled: “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.”
The inquest heard how Mr Kishen acted heroically, according to the LFB, attempting to tackle the fire and suffering burns before losing consciousness. When he came round, the fire had taken hold.
Firefighters arrived at about 10.30pm on 12 November 2023, managing to reach the first floor but were forced back due to the intensity of the flames. Another team attempted to fight the fire on the first floor but encountered similar problems, and as they retreated downstairs, part of the internal staircase collapsed.
Around 70 firefighters battled the blaze which spread from the ground floor all the way to the roof. Mr Kishen has issued a plea for people to consider those around them before using fireworks, warning that they “aren’t a game”.
The grieving 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 occurred during what was the LFB’s busiest Diwali since 2010. Over a 24-hour period, control officers received 710 emergency calls and dealt with 17 firework-related incidents, the LFB reported.
Paul Askew, the brigade’s deputy assistant commissioner, said: “On behalf of London Fire Brigade, I’d like to express my condolences to Mr Kishen and all of those affected by this terrible tragedy.
“On what was meant to be a night of celebration to mark the beginning of Diwali, a tragic accident occurred. I’d like to thank in particular the bravery of the initial crews on scene, who were faced with a devastating house fire.
“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 emphasised that those planning to stage their own display should purchase fireworks from a trusted retailer bearing a CE safety mark, and fix them securely in the ground, well away from buildings, trees and animals.
“As we approach Diwali, Halloween and Bonfire Night, we wish everyone a safe fireworks season,” he added.
