A house fire in Heckmondwike, West Yorkshire, that resulted in the deaths of a father and his nine-year-old daughter was likely caused by a tumble dryer, according to findings from an inquest. Sohaib Ahmed, 38, and Manahal Nazir Ahmed died after the fire engulfed their home on June 8, 2025. An 11-year-old girl, Manahal’s sister, sustained serious injuries and required extensive medical treatment.

The inquest, held at Bradford Coroner’s Court, heard that the blaze originated in a Hoover tumble dryer located in the kitchen. Coroner Martin Fleming reported that the exact cause of the fire within the appliance could not be determined. He recorded a narrative verdict for both victims, noting smoke inhalation as the cause of death.

Coroner Fleming indicated that a possible critical fault in the tumble dryer remains unidentified. He stated that he was considering issuing a prevention of future deaths report to address the potential risk and help avoid similar incidents in the future. The investigation underscores ongoing concerns about the safety of household appliances and the importance of identifying manufacturing or design defects that might pose fire hazards.