NEWS CHANNELThe family of the Fishermead fire victims may take civil action against the fire service for failing to save their loved ones.
Barbara Zhanje, 48, of Corby, was jailed on Monday after starting the fire which killed three-year-old Fiyin Ejifunmilayo and her mother Bola, 29.
After the fire in Fishermead Boulevard, from which a woman was rescued, an initial statement from Buckinghamshire Fire and Rescue Service said it was originally feared more people may have been trapped, but following a search no-one else was found.
However, when firefighters returned more than 35 hours later the bodies of Fiyin and Bola were discovered. The young mother from Nigeria had even made a 999 call during the fire saying they were finding it difficult to breath.
Babjide Osobu, Bola’s uncle, said: “The fire brigade tried but it was not good enough. Lawyers will be looking at things to see if we can take further action.
“The sentence was fair, however a prison sentence will not bring back the lives of Bolo and Fiyin.
“It was a terrible loss for the family. It was very upsetting to sit through the trial and hear the details.”
A statement by the fire service issued to MK NEWS said: “We have offered to meet Bola and Fiyin’s family and we fully understand that they are still seeking answers to many other questions in relation to their tragic deaths.
“Of course Buckinghamshire Fire and Rescue Service regrets the delay in finding the bodies of their loved ones.
“We can assure everyone that we are still co-operating fully with all the investigations.
“We are in the process of implementing the recommendations of our own independently-scrutinised investigation, but cannot answer specific questions or make a further statement until all the legal processes, including the inquest, have been completed.”
