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Five killed in Sheffield house fire Five killed in Sheffield house fire
(about 1 hour later)
Three generations of the same family, believed to comprise two women, a baby and two children, have been killed in a house fire in Sheffield. Three generations of the same family, a baby, two children, their aunt and grandmother, have been killed in a house fire in Sheffield.
The children’s grandmother died trying to rescue the others, according to a relative. The grandmother died trying to rescue the others, according to a relative, who described the fire as a “tragedy beyond imagination”.
The blaze broke out around midnight in a three-storey Victorian terraced house in Wake Road, in the south-western Sharrow district. Ambulances and four fire engines and were called to the scene when the alarm was raised at 12.15am. An aerial ladder was used to tackle what a spokesman for South Yorkshire Fire and Rescue described as a “severe” fire. The blaze broke out around midnight in a three-storey Victorian terraced house in Wake Road, in the south-western Sharrow district.
Ambulances and four fire engines and were called to the scene when the alarm was raised at 12.15am. An aerial ladder was used to tackle what a spokesman for South Yorkshire Fire and Rescue described as a “severe” fire.
The ages and identities of the five people who died have not been released. The fire service confirmed that two women and three “young” children died.The ages and identities of the five people who died have not been released. The fire service confirmed that two women and three “young” children died.
It is believed the women who died were the children’s 54-year-old grandmother Shabina Begum, and their 20-year old aunt, Anum Parvail. It is believed the women who died were the children’s 54-year-old grandmother Shabina Begum, and their 20-year-old aunt, Anum Parvail.
Ishfaq Hussain Kayani, Begum’s cousin, said a nine-week-old girl was among the victims. He named the other victims as nine-year-old Adhyan Nazim and his seven-year-old brother Amaan Nazim. Ishfaq Hussain Kayani, Begum’s cousin, said a nine-week-old girl was among the victims. He named the other victims as nine-year-old Adhyan Nazim and his seven-year-old brother Amaan Nazim.
He said the children’s grandmother initially managed to escape from the flames, but died when she returned to try to rescue the other four.The children’s mother, Razia Nazim, survived the fire and is being consoled by relatives. He said the children’s grandmother initially managed to escape from the flames, but died when she returned to try to rescue the other four.
Kayani said: “I believe the mother of the children, I think she was in the house. She managed to escape. The grandmother of the children, she made attempts to rescue the children but obviously it wasn’t to be. She came out then went back in, tried her level best. Frantic attempts were made to rescue the children.” Kayani told the Guardian: “She came out safely, but went back in to to rescue the children. She gave up her life trying to rescue the children. We are led to believe the aunt was also trying to rescue the children.”
The children’s father, Nazim Parvaiz, was working a night shift as a taxi driver when the fire began. By the time he returned home the street was sealed off by police. The children’s mother, Razia Nazim, survived the fire and was being consoled by relatives. Their father, Nazim Parvaiz, was working a night shift as a taxi driver when the fire began. By the time he returned home the street was sealed off by police.
Kayani said: “It’s just a huge tragedy. Words cannot describe how sad this is. It’s a tragedy beyond description.” Kayani said: “The father was out working. He drives a taxi and it was the firm that informed him to call home as soon as possible.”
Speaking to reporters at the scene he said the children’s parents were in shock. “They can hardly utter a word. I’ve been with the family. It’s so sad. A couple of hours ago the whole family was leading their normal life – quite prosperous, happy. Just in a matter of minutes the whole family has been destroyed.” He added: “We got there about half past twelve, quarter to one. By the time we arrived the area was cordoned off. We didn’t see the deceased. They erected a tent outside the house for the bodies. I was trying to comfort other members of the family.”
By dawn Wake Road was sealed off as fire investigators and forensic police officers worked at the house. He said the parents were in state of shock. “The parents are not in a fit state to talk about it.”
It was unclear what caused the fire, he said.
“Obviously there will be an inquest, we are just waiting anxiously for the bodies to be released because in our religion we would like to bury the deceased as soon as possible. But there are obviously certain legal procedure that need to be carried out.”
Kayani said his family was originally from Pakistan and had lived in Sheffield for more than 40 years.
“It’s a huge tragedy beyond imagination. There’s three bubbly children, an aunt and a grandmother. The children were preparing to return to school today. They did their shopping over the weekend and were really looking forward to life.”
Wake Road remained sealed off as fire investigators and forensic police officers worked at the house.
Police said they were keeping an open mind as to how the fire started. A South Yorkshire police spokesman said: “At this stage we are not able to confirm where in the house the fire broke out or if anyone else was injured.”Police said they were keeping an open mind as to how the fire started. A South Yorkshire police spokesman said: “At this stage we are not able to confirm where in the house the fire broke out or if anyone else was injured.”
A short statement from South Yorkshire Fire and Rescue added: “An investigation has commenced, involving police and fire officers, to establish the cause of the fire.”
A short statement from South Yorkshire Fire and Rescue added: “An investigation has commenced, involving police and fire officers, to establish the cause of the fire.”

Peter Holland, the government’s chief fire and rescue adviser, described the incident as a “terrible tragedy”.
Peter Holland, the government’s chief fire and rescue adviser, described the incident as a “terrible tragedy”.

Writing on Twitter he said: “Fires with fatalities on scale of last night’s incident in Sheffield are rare, making them v[ery] shocking when they occur.”Writing on Twitter he said: “Fires with fatalities on scale of last night’s incident in Sheffield are rare, making them v[ery] shocking when they occur.”