A UK Cypriot couple died from smoke inhalation after a memorial candle ignited materials in their Barnet home in the early hours of 16 January.
Andreas and Sophia Lescou were removed from their semi-detached house on Albemarle Road by firefighters and declared dead at the scene by paramedics from the London Ambulance Service.
Four fire engines and around 25 firefighters responded to the blaze, which was located on the ground floor. The Brigade was first called at 0144, and crews from Barnet, Southgate and Finchley fire stations had the incident under control by 0314.
Fire investigators determined the fire was caused by candles which ignited nearby materials. The family confirmed that Andreas and Sophia would light a memorial candle surrounded with religious imagery and photographs of deceased family members.
A London Fire Brigade spokesperson said candles are one of the most common causes of fire and urged people never to leave them unattended. The spokesperson recommended replacing wax candles with flameless LED or electric candles, which can be left unattended even during sleep.
Andreas was born in Famagusta, Cyprus, on 9 November 1935, and Sophia was born 12 days later on 21 November 1935 in Pano Kivides, Cyprus. They met in Vauxhall, London, in 1958 and married the following year.
Together they ran Lescou’s Delicatessen, with locations in Swiss Cottage, Palmers Green, Friern Barnet and Hendon in London, as well as one in Limassol, Cyprus.
They are survived by their daughters Despina and Chrystalla, and grandchildren Amelia, Sophie, Gregory, Phytos and Andreas.
Their joint funeral will be held at 11am on Thursday 12 February at The Greek Orthodox Church of St. Katherine, Barnet, with burial at New Southgate Cemetery & Crematorium, followed by a wake at St Katherine’s Church Hall.
The family is raising money in their memory for AgeUK.
(information from Parikiaki.com)
