(Image: Newsquest)
A coroner has raised concerns about the safety of a Hoover tumble dryer following the death of a father and his nine-year-old daughter in a fire, saying 1.6 million machines may share the model’s characteristics.
Sohaib Ahmed, 38, and his daughter Manahal died following a blaze at their home in Heckmondwike, West Yorkshire, on June 8 2025, according to a report issued by coroner Martin Fleming.
Mr Fleming’s prevention of future deaths report outlines how an inquest in July “found more likely than not that the source of the fire in the kitchen was a DX C10DCER-80 Hoover branded condenser tumble dryer, albeit that the specific mechanism and circumstances of the ignition within the dryer remain undetermined and unclear”.
The coroner said: “The above raises concerns that unless the model… and any wider product safety implications are further examined, circumstances creating a risk of future deaths may continue.
“It is my understanding that the Office for Product & Safety Standards (OPSS) has received a significant number of product fire notifications from the fire services across the UK involving this model.
“Of concern is that 1.6 million of current Hoover & Candy branded condenser or vented tumble dryers may share this model’s characteristics.”
The coroner continued: “I also heard that two experts have described how this particular type of tumble dryer may burn almost completely once the fire becomes established, making later identification of the initiating defect extremely difficult.”
Mr Fleming found that it could not be determined whether the ignition resulted from tracking, defective solder joint, heater relay failure or another internal electrical failure, and has left him concerned that “that this may indicate a potentially serious mechanism failure that cannot be identified from available evidence, and therefore cannot be readily prevented”.
He wants the company to consider investigating the model and similar incidents “with a view to identifying any recurrent failure modes, alteration to the design, issue of technical service bulletins or a recall or safety campaign”.
And he wants the company to “consider whether it is appropriate that the sales of the model are halted” pending this analysis.
What happened on the day?
A neighbour spotted smoke coming from the house at about 6.06am and alerted emergency services.
Firefighters arrived at 6.19am and found Mr Ahmed unconscious behind the front door.
Paramedics gave both father and daughter CPR at the scene.
Mr Ahmed was pronounced dead at about 7.02am.
Manahal and her sister were taken to hospital, but Manahal later died despite prolonged efforts to revive her.
Her sister survived but needed extensive hospital treatment.
The scene of a fatal house fire on Russell Close, Heckmondwike (Image: Newsquest)
Mr Fleming's report was sent to Haier Smart Home UK & I Limited and the OPSS.
Haier Smart Home UK & I Limited, known as Haier UK, is the UK and Ireland arm of global appliance giant Haier Smart Home.
It sells and supports Haier, Hoover and Candy appliances in the UK and Ireland, including the tumble dryer involved.
Floral tributes were left at the scene of a fatal house fire on Russell Close, Heckmondwike (Image: Newsquest)
Other recipients include the spouse of the deceased, West Yorkshire Fire Service, London Fire Brigade, and West Yorkshire Police.
Haier responded to the report. Part of their response read: "No business should treat their processes as static or perfect.
"We regularly assess our processes, and we want you, and the family and friends of Sohaib and Manahal, to know that we are reflecting, and will reflect, about what can be learned from this fire."
The OPSS also responsed to Mr Fleming's report. Part of its response read: "OPSS remains fully committed to establishing the full extent of any risks associated with condenser and vented tumble dryers, ensuring that businesses meet their legal obligations, and taking whatever regulatory action is necessary to protect consumers and prevent future harm."
The T&A also contacted Haier for comment.
A Haier spokesperson said: “We remain deeply saddened by this tragic event and extend our deepest sympathies to the Ahmed family and all those affected.
"We have taken the issues raised in the Coroner's Report very seriously. We have undertaken a detailed review of the issues raised and provided a comprehensive response to the Coroner, which we asked to be, and which has been, published in full."