Local businessman Mohsen Mahmoudi, 28, is facing a heartbreaking loss after a stray Diwali firework ignited a devastating fire that destroyed his family home in Foleshill, Coventry.
On the evening of October 18, Mohsen returned from a comedy show only to discover his three-bedroom house on Hordean Close fully engulfed in flames. Despite firefighters arriving promptly around 9 p.m., the fire had already destroyed most of the property, leaving it completely gutted.
Mohsen, who runs two bubble tea shops, now faces the enormous financial challenge of rebuilding his uninsured home, with estimated repair costs exceeding £110,000. He had lived in the house with his parents and younger sister for ten years.
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Reflecting on the ordeal, Mohsen shared, “I’m still waiting to wake up from this nightmare. We’ve lost everything—our entire lives were in that home. All our furniture, clothes, and irreplaceable sentimental photos are gone. I had saved to buy this house outright but, unfortunately, I never took out insurance. You never think it will happen to you.”
He recalled how the timing of a shift swap likely prevented a greater tragedy. “My sister was at one of my shops when the fire started because I swapped shifts to attend a Kae Kurd comedy show. If she had been home, I dread to think what could have happened.”
The street was cordoned off by police as five fire engines battled the blaze. “It was chaos. The fire had spread to every room, the garage, conservatory, even the greenhouse,” Mohsen recalled.
In response, a close friend, Monica Chumber, has launched a fundraising campaign to help the family recover. “The damage caused by a single firework is unimaginable,” Monica said. “Mo and his family have lost everything—their home, belongings, and cherished memories. The community is coming together to support them, believing in the power of unity during tough times.”
Donations to assist with clearing debris, repairs, and replacing essential household items are crucial as the family begins the arduous journey of rebuilding their lives.