Champagauri and Dipak Bhatt

I am Mr P. Straker, Assistant Coroner for the coroner area of the Northern District of Greater London

On the 17th of May 2023 I commenced investigations into the deaths of Champagauri and Dipak Bhatt. The investigations concluded on the 15th of November 2024 after inquests held over the 6th, 7th and 8th of November 2024. The inquests had the following short narrative conclusions: (a) Following a fire caused by an electrical fault in the tumble dryer, Champagauri Bhatt died from the resulting inhalation injury. (b) Following a fire caused by an electrical fault in the tumble dryer, Dipak Bhatt died from the resulting inhalation injury.

On the evening of 29th of March 2023 a fire caused by an electrical fault in the tumble dryer at [REDACTED] Edgware caused Champagauri and Dipak Bhatt to die from inhalation injuries. There was a 10% chance the EMI filter caused the fire and a 90% chance the condensate pump caused the fire.

During the inquest a London Fire Brigade witness made suggestions for more effective data sharing and use and It was apparent future deaths may occur unless action is taken. In the circumstances it is my statutory duty to report to you. The MATTERS OF CONCERN are as follows. – (1) That ingress of moisture into condensate pumps may result in tracking faults causing resistive heating and fire. (2) That changes in information management would result in better analysis of, and learning from, white goods fires. (3) Manufacturers to give the and Office of Product Safety Standards (OPSS) as the regulator and London Fire Brigade (LFB) to support their fire prevention work data on parts replaced on warrantyee for condensate pumps and RFI filters. (4) Working group CPL / 61 look at standards of manufacture of mains and sub mains operated condensate pumps and RFI filters, to improve standards. (5) Manufacturers to share data on decisions and rationale behind recall / replacement of condense pumps and RFI filters Office of Product Safety Standards (OPSS) as the regulator and London Fire Brigade to support their fire prevention work. (6) Companies investigating fires to notify Trading Standards and the Office of Product Safety Standards (OPSS) of the outcome of those investigations. (7) Manufacturers to be required to use the OPSS risk assessment methodology, PRISM, when conducting risk assessments to account for persons in a property and their actions, i.e. sleeping whilst a product is taking advantage of lower electricity rates. (8) Identification plates on appliances that will not be destroyed by fire akin to those on vehicles.

In my opinion action should be taken to prevent future deaths and I believe you and your organisation have the power to take such action.