Fatal fire could have been deliberate, inquest finds

An inquest for a woman who died following a bungalow fire has been left open - with the coroner not ruling out "deliberate ignition".

Izabela Chalastra, 46, died in hospital six days after the blaze in Nottingham on 1 March 2024.

The inquest was told there had been a "history of domestic abuse" and Zbigniew Lewandowski - who was under a protection order at the time - visited the address but denied entering the property. He was arrested in connection with the fire, and later detained on suspicion of murder but no charges were brought due to "insufficient evidence".

The coroner noted "inconsistencies" in Lewandowski's evidence, who had previously denied having anything to do with the fire.

Giving her conclusion at Nottingham Council House on Friday, coroner Neena Sharma reminded the room an "inquest is not a trial" and that she considered evidence in its totality.

Jim Dykes, of Nottinghamshire Fire and Rescue, had previously explained that the property in Forster Street suffered "severe fire damage" and it was not possible to identify a single cause.

The possible causes included an electric heater, smoking materials, a candle and a portable gas stove found at the property. Deliberate ignition was also included as a possible cause.

The inquest was told no fire accelerator items were identified.

Evidence from other emergency services that visited the address prior to the fire showed a smoke detector in the hallway had been covered and identified "unsafe smoking" at the address.

The inquest was also told Chalastra had mobility issues, problems around alcohol dependency and relied on Lewandowski for accommodation and support.

A CCTV trawl on 1 March showed Lewandowski's journey from magistrates' court to Forster Street, as he walked along the Nottingham Canal and Lenton Boulevard.

The property in Forster Street is located on a row of small bungalows, with a camera from one of the houses showing him at the address at 16:37 and 41 seconds.

About four minutes later, he was seen walking away from the address back to Lenton Boulevard.

The blaze was first discovered by a witness who was leaving a bookmakers shop nearby at 16:57.

The inquest was previously told that when Lewandowski left the address, he went to a shop to buy a cigarette lighter and two cans of beer.

Chalastra - who suffered severe burns as a result of the fire - was assisted by witnesses at the scene before she was taken to hospital.

Izabela's sister, Krystyna Chalastra - had sat through two days evidence and said she was left with "no answers" but that she felt "lighter".

"I'm still very sad that I didn't get what I expected to get," she told the BBC.

"I expected something completely different. It's very difficult for me to talk about it."

She said she was "glad" that the coroner did not rule out deliberate ignition as a possible cause of the fire.

Speaking via a Polish interpreter, she said: "I feel lighter. After the inquest I had the chance to think about it, and I realise now I have to turn my attention to myself and have to look after my health.

"Now Iza is safe, she is on the other side with my parents, and I'm going to leave her alone over there."

She also thanked all the agencies who contributed with evidence at the inquest.

Chalastra's death also prompted a domestic homicide review. The report of its findings is due to be released later this year.

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