'Fire-obsessed' boy started blaze that killed him and his aunt - probe

A nine-year-old boy, described as a having a 'fascination with fire', is believed to have started a blaze which killed himself and his aunt.

Riley Chambers and Siobhan Abbott, 24, died from their injuries in a house fire on Rawson Street, Selston, at around 1am on Sunday, January 4. 

An inquest held into their deaths heard that Riley, who had autism, was a 'poor sleeper' who would wake in the night. 

The court was told on Monday that the nine-year-old was put to sleep in 'the usual manner' by his mother at around 7.30pm on January 13.

Siobhan returned to the property and went into her room at around 9.32pm the same evening, while Riley's parents and sister went to sleep at around 10.30pm in a room located on the ground floor of the property. 

They were later awoken by the sound of the smoke alarm and managed to escape the blaze through the kitchen.

When fire crews arrived, Siobhan was found in her room. 

Riley was not in his bedroom on the upper floor of the house but in another room on the same floor. 

CCTV footage of the front of the property showed four instances of a flickering light at 12.40am, 12.43am, 12.47am and 12.49am, the hearing was told.

The latter 'remained constant and became much brighter', the inquest heard, with the fire located in the hallway. 

The hearing was told that Riley appeared to have 'a slight fascination with fire' and a lighter had been taken from him on a previous occasion.

Four lighters were recovered from the house, two of which were in a cupboard in Riley's bedroom. 

The inquest was told that the fire was a result of 'a naked flame [coming into] contact with combustible materials'.

Coroner Nathanael Hartley said: 'Having heard all the evidence and relying upon extensive investigations carried out by the police and fire service, I find Riley started a small fire in the hallway.

'Sadly, that fire spread, resulting in significant fire to the property, leading to his and Siobhan's death. I have considered whether Siobhan's death ought to be concluded as an unlawful killing.

'However, I'm aware of Riley's neurodiversity and, crucially, his age, and consider the most appropriate conclusion to be an accidental death for Siobhan.' Riley's death was also concluded as accidental for the same reasons, rather than misadventure.

The causes of death for Siobhan were listed as '1a hypoxic brain injury and 1b inhalation injury'.

Riley's causes of death were '1a full thickness skin burn injuries and hypoxic brain injury and 1b smoke inhalation with the development of cardiovascular stress'.

Siobhan died on January 16 at City Hospital, while Riley died on January 18 at Queen's Medical Centre. Siobhan's sister, who attended the hearing on Monday with other family members, including Riley's dad, paid tribute to her sibling. 

She said: 'Siobhan was very beautiful inside and out.

'She was gregarious and spontaneous. Everyone was glad to have met her and I am very sad she is not here.' 

Coroner Hartley added that the pair will 'no doubt be sorely missed by many' before extending his condolences.

Chris Navin, station manager and fire investigator of the incident, said: 'Following thorough investigations by ourselves and our colleagues at Nottinghamshire Police, and following the inquest today, the most probable cause of this tragic incident has been deemed as a naked flame combined with combustible materials.

'This is an extremely sad incident, and we would like to send our sincere condolences to the family and friends of both Riley and his aunt, Siobhan.'