The tragic fire at a Nottingham bungalow on 1st March 2024 claimed the life of Izabela Chalastra, and while an inquest into her death has concluded, questions about the cause of the blaze remain unanswered. Coroner Neena Sharma has highlighted that deliberate ignition cannot be ruled out as a potential explanation, despite no evidence of accelerants at the scene.
Ms Chalastra, 46, had been a victim of domestic abuse, with a protection order in place against her partner Zbigniew Lewandowski. Mr Lewandowski admitted visiting the address just before the fire but denied entering the property. He was arrested and detained on suspicion of murder, although no charges were brought due to insufficient evidence.
Investigations into the cause of the fire at Forster Street have been ongoing, with multiple potential sources considered, including an electric heater, smoking materials, a candle, and a portable gas stove found within the bungalow. Coroner Sharma's comments serve as a reminder that an inquest's purpose is to examine all available evidence, rather than to assign blame.
CCTV footage shows Mr Lewandowski visiting and departing the property around the time of the fire, with a witness reporting seeing him at 16:37 and leaving four minutes later. The fire was noticed by another witness at 16:57. The inquest also heard that Ms Chalastra had mobility issues and struggled with alcohol dependency, relying on Mr Lewandowski for support.
Izabela's sister, Krystyna Chalastra, expressed her disappointment but also a sense of relief after the inquest, stating she felt 'lighter' knowing that deliberate ignition remains a possibility. A domestic homicide review has been initiated and is expected to be released later this year, providing further insight into the tragic events.