An inquest into the death of Izabela Chalastra, who died following a fire at a property in Nottingham, has heard evidence from a man previously arrested in connection with the incident. Zbigniew Lewandowski, who lived with Ms Chalastra at the Forster Street bungalow, told Nottingham Coroner's Court that he was in a "state of shock" upon seeing the fire and Ms Chalastra.
Ms Chalastra, 46, passed away in hospital six days after the blaze on 1 March 2024. Mr Lewandowski had been arrested on suspicion of murder following the fire, but no charges have been brought due to insufficient evidence. The inquest heard that an investigation into the fire's origin could not definitively determine its cause.
During Wednesday's hearing, Mr Lewandowski, speaking through a Polish interpreter, stated he had met Ms Chalastra through a friend but denied they were in a relationship. He explained that she had been staying at his rented Nottingham City Council property, but described it as a temporary arrangement, adding that Ms Chalastra "was supposed to leave me and my address" and had been "badmouthing me to the police."
The court was informed that Ms Chalastra had reported to the police on two separate occasions in February 2024 – once alleging rape and another time a knife threat – both against Mr Lewandowski. On both occasions, she chose not to pursue further police action. Mr Lewandowski himself had been in custody for breaching a domestic violence protection order (DVPO) relating to Ms Chalastra and appeared before magistrates on the day of the fire.
Mr Lewandowski told the inquest that after his release from court, Ms Chalastra contacted him, requesting money. Despite being subject to a DVPO which prohibited him from harassing her or entering the Forster Street property, he claimed Ms Chalastra called him and asked why he wasn't coming to the flat. He stated he went to the property between 4pm and 5pm, where Ms Chalastra handed him a bank card, an electricity card, and his clothes outside. He denied entering the house, saying he then went to a shop to buy food for her, and upon his return, found the house on fire and Ms Chalastra outside, "covered in burns all over." He denied any involvement in the fire when questioned by the coroner, Neena Sharma.
Izabela's sister, Krystyna Chalastra, attended the hearing and directly questioned Mr Lewandowski, asking, "Why have you taken my sister away from me?" Mr Lewandowski responded, "I didn't love her. I liked her." Ms Chalastra's sister then alleged that he had previously told her he "had enough" of Izabela and would kill her, an accusation Mr Lewandowski dismissed as her "making things up."