Two sisters who died in a fire in Aberdeen were killed by a blaze started by candles in a flat below, according to a report from the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service. Shikshya, 24, and Aanchal Subedi, 28, died in their home after the fire tore through a block of flats on Back Hilton Road on January 29, 2024.
Investigation findings
A joint investigation by Police Scotland and Scottish Fire and Rescue Service found no suspicious circumstances surrounding their deaths. Although it was already known the fire spread from a neighbouring flat, the incident report, obtained by the BBC through a Freedom of Information request, revealed the flames were initiated by candles which caused a mattress to ignite. A lithium battery then caught fire, causing the blaze to spread rapidly.
Both siblings, originally from Nepal, were thought to have been trapped by smoke by the time firefighters reached them. The fatal fire broke out at around 6pm on January 29, 2024. Shikshya and Aanchal, who settled in Aberdeen with their family as children, were pronounced dead at the scene. Their pet cat also died.
Family seeks answers
It comes after a fatal accident inquiry was ruled out. The family has now instructed Digby Brown Solicitors to carry out their own investigation, with the firm seeking to recover documents relating to the probe and establish what happened.
Their sister, Susan Subedi, 35, said: “It just feels like everything has been pushed to the side and no one is wanting to help us get answers into how this could have happened. It’s been more than two years and we still don’t know the full facts of what happened. All we get told is the decisions official people are making but with very little explanation. For a bereaved family that’s not good enough – we deserve more than an FYI.”
Community response and legal action
Hero firefighters were witnessed rescuing a baby from a neighbouring flat window, while four other people were rescued and taken to hospital. Scottish Fire and Rescue Service chiefs labelled the fire “extremely challenging”.
The sisters’ deaths prompted an outpouring of grief from the local community. Family friend Michelle Munro launched an online fundraiser which surpassed its £6,000 target, raising more than £11,000.
Neil Davidson, partner at Digby Brown in Aberdeen, is leading the legal investigation. He said: “To lose two young members of your family in an accident is devastating and my thoughts go to Shikshya’s and Aanchal’s family and friends. We will seek to recover and investigate all available evidence to help the Subedi family in their pursuit for answers but as things are ongoing it would be inappropriate to comment further.”
Susan Subedi said the loss continues to have a profound impact on the family. “It’s very hard to describe how losing Shikshya and Aanchal has affected our family. As sisters we were incredibly close. They were only in their 20s they had everything in life to look forward to but that’s been taken away from them and from us. We won’t laugh or talk or share another family celebration together and sometimes that’s too much to bear. I miss them. I will always miss them.” She added: “As a family we will continue to use our voices to get them justice.”
