Girl, 11, and man, 45, killed in Chinese takeaway fire sparked by an air fryer

An 11-year-old girl and a 45-year-old man have died in a fire at a Chinese takeaway sparked by an air fryer.

Police and fire crews attended the blaze at the Golden Phoenix restaurant on Manby Middlegate, Grimoldby, near Louth, at around 6.10am on Wednesday.

Two people were taken to hospital from the village, but were later confirmed to have died. They were named locally as restaurant owner Lee Li, 45, and his daughter Sophie.

Five others from the Li family were rescued, including the mother, aged in her 30s, who was in a critical condition today in a hospital burns unit. 

There was also an uncle and another man, aged in their 40s, and two younger siblings, believed to be aged under six, who were wrapped in blankets by neighbours.

They have been released from hospital after check-ups after the drama at 6am on Wednesday morning.

The takeaway, a former pub turned into a takeaway about two years ago, was a boarded up ruin on Thursday.

The blaze started in the upstairs kitchen when an air fryer exploded. All the family members were upstairs in their bedrooms as the blaze spread. 

Residents from nearby homes raced to help and were already at the pub when the first service attended in response to a 999 call.

Firefighters wearing breathing gear climbed up ladders to rescue casualties and also entered the building to lead others to safety.

A woman, who owned the building when it was a pub for three years and asked not to be named, said: 'I work at the Co-Op and got some bottles of water from the store.

'There was one guy who had run in and tried to help. We did what we could to look after the younger children by wrapping them in blankets.

'I don't think they spoke much English but they worked hard for their family so it is very sad.

'They had their nan and grandad down but they went back to China just before Christmas.'

The family were running a Chinese in North Thorseby, a village in East Lindsey Lincolnshire, before coming to Manby Middlegate, a couple of years ago.

'My grand daughter used to work for them. She said they were a lovely family who worked hard and just wanted the best out of life for their children,' she added.

The woman then started directing the traffic through road works just opposite the takeaway.

'All the community pulled together and did what they could to help. It is just so tragic,' she added.

The Golden Phoenix takeaway, a former pub turned into a takeaway about two years ago

Eye witnesses described the fire. One said: 'It went boom and shook the floor. I heard a screaming noice as the gas escaped.'

A 79-year-old woman called Chris added: 'I heard the helicopter land in the field. It shook the house. I thought it was a plane crash or something.

'Then when I came out there were just emergency vehicles all the way down the road. It is tragic.'

Lincolnshire Fire service area manager Dan Moss said: 'About six of clock yesterday morning we received a 999 call. Tragically, individuals have lost their lives.'

'They had five fire engines fighting the blaze at its height. Fire service forensic investigators established the seat of the blaze was the upper kitchen. 

'The focus was getting all the occupants out as quickly as we could. It was a busy scene,' he continued.

'Firemen wearing breathing gear went up ladders and pulled them out and went inside as well.

'When we received the call we found a well developed fire on the first floor. It was a tragic accident.

'Members of the public had stopped to help, When the crews arrived, flames were coming out the first floor window.

'The casualties were conveyed to hospital. Sadly, two have lost their lives. The cause of the fire was the air fryer in the kitchen.

'We continue to work with trading standards. We do not want to panic people. Just made sure they use air fryers in line with manufacturers instructions.'

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