Fire that killed two sisters in Aberdeen started from candle in flat below

A blaze which killed two sisters in Aberdeen was started by a candle in the flat below, a fire incident report has revealed.

Shikshya and Aanchal Subedi, aged 24 and 28, died at the block of flats at Back Hilton Road on January 29, 2024.

No suspicious circumstances were found following a joint investigation into the incident by Police Scotland and Scottish Fire and Rescue Service (SFRS). It was concluded that the fire had spread from a neighbouring flat.

An SFRS incident report outlined that the cause of the fire was a candle in the flat below the sisters.

The report states that a candle ignited a mattress in the bedroom, and the fire spread rapidly due to a highly flammable lithium battery.

Eight fire engines and specialist resources attended the scene, and crews helped evacuate residents.

Shikshya and Aanchal were trapped by smoke and were thought to be dead by the time fire crews were able to get to them, the report details.

An investigation into the incident previously stated that no action would be taken against the tenants of the flat, and there would be no fatal accident inquiry.

‘I will always miss them.’

Speaking last month, Shikshya and Aanchal’s sister, Susan, said her family were still searching for answers over what happened.

“It’s very hard to describe how losing Shikshya and Aanchal has affected our family”, she said.

“As sisters, we were incredibly close.

“One of my favourite memories is from a few years ago, we went on holiday to Edinburgh.

“We were having so much fun shopping and dancing we ended up staying an extra few days.

“When I think back to those days, it hurts because I know there won’t be another holiday together.

“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.”