Tragic Fire at Chinese Takeaway Claims Lives of Two, Including Young Girl

A fire at a Chinese takeaway has tragically resulted in the deaths of an 11-year-old girl and a 45-year-old man. The incident occurred early on Wednesday, February 18, at The Golden Phoenix takeaway located in Grimoldby, near Louth, around 6 a.m.

In addition to the fatalities, another woman is in serious condition in the hospital. Authorities reported that five additional individuals were sent to medical facilities for treatment.

The woman in her 30s is currently in a critical state, while two men in their 40s and two children under the age of ten have since been discharged from the hospital.

According to Lincolnshire Fire and Rescue, the fire was determined to be accidental, arising from the use of an air fryer that sparked a blaze. A detailed report will be forwarded to Lincolnshire Coroner Paul Smith.

Mark Baxter, Chief Fire Officer at Lincolnshire Fire and Rescue Service, shared: "When crews arrived at the scene, they encountered a fully developed fire that has, regrettably, taken the lives of two individuals, left one in a critical state, and caused injuries to several others."

Baxter further elaborated that investigations in collaboration with Lincolnshire Police and a fire investigation dog indicated the source of the fire was an air fryer that ignited adjacent materials.

He expressed empathy for those impacted by the tragedy, saying, "This is an incredibly challenging time for the family, friends, and the close-knit community, and our sincere condolences are with them."

Emergency services responded with six ambulance crews, two paramedics in rapid response vehicles, five teams from Lincolnshire Fire and Rescue, local police, and an air ambulance.

An official from the East Midlands Ambulance Service stated: "We received an emergency call at 6:22 a.m. on February 18 about a fire at a property on Manby Middlegate in Grimoldby. We dispatched multiple ambulances and paramedics, along with a senior manager and critical care teams to assist at the scene."

They concluded, "The air ambulance also responded to the emergency. Four patients were transported to Diana, Princess of Wales Hospital in Grimsby by ambulance, while one patient was airlifted to Queen’s Medical Centre in Nottingham."