October 5, 2025 – An inquest into the tragic death of six-year-old Chamiah “Miah” Brindley has revealed that a vape pen left charging in her room caused the fatal fire that claimed her life on the morning of September 10, 2024. The blaze broke out in the early hours of the morning in the attic room of the home on Bedale Drive, Leicester.
What Happened
Chamiah Brindley, known as Miah, tragically lost her life in a house fire that started when a lithium-ion battery of a vape pen, left charging in her attic room, ignited. The fire quickly spread, and Miah’s family was unable to reach her in time. The blaze broke out in the early morning hours, and by the time emergency responders arrived, Miah had already passed away.
The inquest, held at Leicester Town Hall, heard that family members, including Miah’s mother, Tracey Moore, were alerted to the fire when one of Miah’s siblings shouted out. In a desperate attempt to save her, family members tried to break down the door to Miah’s room but were stopped by thick smoke and flames. The room’s skylights had been nailed shut, which further hindered their attempts to rescue Miah.
Investigation and Findings
The inquest revealed several contributing factors to the tragedy. The vape pen’s lithium-ion battery, which had been left charging next to the bed, was identified as the source of the fire. Fire Officer Dean Thornton testified that eight vapes were found in the room, and the device and charger next to the bed were the likely seat of the fire. However, the exact cause of the ignition could not be conclusively determined.
Additionally, it was revealed that hard-wired smoke alarms in the home had been removed months before the fire, and the skylights had been nailed shut to prevent children from climbing onto the roof. These safety failures compounded the situation, preventing the family from responding more quickly to the fire.
Family and Community Impact
Miah’s mother, Tracey Moore, described how she had ensured the safety of the other family members before heading upstairs to try and save her daughter. She recalled hearing Miah scream for help as she tried to break down the door to her room, but the thick smoke and flames prevented her from reaching her.
Firefighters arrived on the scene and made it to the attic room, but tragically, Miah could not be saved and was pronounced dead less than 20 minutes after the fire began. A post-mortem examination confirmed that Miah died from the inhalation of smoke and combustion products.
Ongoing Investigation and Legal Actions
The investigation by Leicestershire Police also explored the origin of the vape pen, but the device’s exact source could not be traced. A 14-year-old girl was arrested in connection to the fire but was later released with no further action taken.
The inquest is expected to conclude on Tuesday, and while the exact cause of the fire is still unclear, the tragic death of Miah has highlighted concerns regarding vaping devices and safety in the home.
This story may be updated with further information as it becomes available.
