A devastating fire at a Chinese takeaway in Lincolnshire has claimed the lives of a father and his 11-year-old daughter, with investigators blaming an air fryer for the blaze. The incident occurred at the Golden Phoenix Chinese Takeaway in Manby Middlegate, Louth, last week.
The victims have been named locally as Yu Li, 45, and his daughter Sophie. A woman in her 30s, believed to be Mr Li's wife, was taken to hospital along with two men in their 40s and two children under 10. Emergency services, including five fire engines, six ambulances, and an air ambulance, attended the scene.
Lincolnshire Fire & Rescue Service determined the fire was accidental and caused by an air fryer. Area manager Dan Moss said: "We have determined the cause of the fire to be an air fryer... What we are asking them to do is just make sure they use them in line with recommendations made by the manufacturers." He urged households to ensure they have working smoke detectors and to remain vigilant when using air fryers.
Family friend William Wong issued a statement on behalf of the Li family, describing the tragedy as "absolute" and thanking passers-by who bravely entered the burning building to rescue two younger children. The fire service expressed its deepest condolences to the family and the community.
