Woman charged over mother and toddler fire deaths

A 48-year-old woman has been charged with killing a mother and her toddler daughter who died in a house fire, police said.

Barbara Zhanje, from Rockingham Road, Corby, Northamptonshire, was charged with two counts of manslaughter last night.

Zhanje will appear at Milton Keynes Magistrates' Court later today, a spokesman for Thames Valley Police said.

The charges relate to the deaths of Bola Ejifunmilayo, 29, and her three-year-old daughter Fiyin Ejifunmilayo in Fishermead Boulevard, Milton Keynes, on September 5.

The huge fire in the multi-occupancy house caused structural damage, with the collapse of floors and ceilings meaning rescue teams could not reach the pair.

One firefighter was injured trying to enter the bedroom where the remains of Ms Ejifunmilayo and her daughter, both from Nigeria, were later found.

He was taken to hospital after the floor collapsed and he fell to the level below. He was treated for arm and shoulder injuries and was later released.