Coroner's warning over everyday household appliance that started horror blaze killing grandmother, 86, and her disabled son
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A coroner has issued a warning over an everyday household appliance that started a horrific blaze which killed a grandmother and her disabled son. Champagauri Bhatt, 86, and her son Dipak, 66, died in March last year after an electrical fault within their new Whirlpool tumble dryer sparked a devastating fire inside their north London home.
![[They lived with their nephew, 30-year-old computer scientist Pavan (pictured) who was left homeless following the inferno. He was on his way home from work when a panicked neighbour called to say his home was aflame]](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/12/16/09/93187685-14196887-image-a-7_1734340957315.jpg)
Ms Bhatt and Dipak lived with her grandson, 30-year-old computer scientist Pavan. He was left homeless following the inferno. He had been coming home from work when a panicked neighbour called to say his home was aflame and returned to find his life in ruins.
![[Mr Bhatt lost his grandmother and uncle in March last year after an electrical fault within a Hotpoint tumble dryer sparked a devastating blaze inside their north London home (pictured)]](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/12/16/09/79812711-14196887-Pavan_Bhatt_lost_his_grandmother_and_uncle_in_March_last_year_af-a-5_1734340909387.jpg)
Ms Bhatt, a wheelchair user who was registered blind, and Dipak, who had suffered brain damage and was non-verbal, were thought to have been asleep when the fire started and had inhaled a lethal amount of smoke. After being rushed to hospital, Mr Bhatt's grandmother tragically passed away just two days after the fire, while his uncle died less than three weeks later on April 18.
![[Mr Bhatt urged other families to research their home appliances before making a purchase and failing to do so 'could be like bringing a bomb into your home']](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/12/16/09/93187687-14196887-image-a-6_1734340928345.jpg)
A coroner has called for action to prevent another devastating fire caused by a tumble dryer. Mr Bhatt welcomed the report, hoping that 'we can avoid another family having to go through a similar tragedy'. In the wake of the tragic incident, he urged other families to research their home appliances before making a purchase and failing to do so 'could be like bringing a bomb into your home'.
![[Mr Bhatt is also calling on Whirlpool, which owns the European division of the Hotpoint brand, to recall the model that caused the fire at his home (File image)]](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/12/16/09/92164873-14196887-Pavan_is_also_calling_on_Whirlpool_which_is_owns_the_European_di-a-3_1734340873821.jpg)
