A great grandmother who died after a fire in her care home in Streatham Vale wanted to live to see her grandson marry.

Vimlaben Patel, who had lived in Norbury before moving to Aashna House in Bates Crescent, died in the blaze which started at about 7.55pm on Sunday, September 20.

Firefighters smashed through the 85-year-old’s window in a desperate attempt to pull her from the flames but she was pronounced dead at the scene.

Some 40 residents who live in the private care home had to be evacuated and spent the night in alternative accomodation as the blaze ripped through half of the two-storey building.

Six residents were taken to hospital to be treated for smoke inhalation. They were discharged on Monday.

Many of the residents – who are predominantly Asian – were treated in the car park before being taken to hospital, relatives' homes, or Roshni House – a care home in Tooting belonging to housing association LHA-ASRA, which runs Aashna House.

Forensic officers from the police and fire brigade are investigating what may have caused the fire – but do not believe it was suspicious.

Speaking from their South Croydon home, the family paid tribute to a loving great-grandmother who worked hard at home after coming to Norbury with her husband Shantilal, who owned a newsagent in Wimbledon, in 1975.

Her son Naishad, 54, said: “She was a lovely, fantastic person.”

Daughter-in-law Bhavna, 47, said: “She was very friendly and loving. When she lived in Kenya even though they were in a small house she always had people over. She helped so many people. She did a lot for her friends and family.

“She loved cooking and was very good at sweet things. Everything was home cooked.”

One of her biggest wishes was to see her grandson Kushal, a 22-year-old law student in Brighton, get married.

Bhavna said: “He (Kushal) took centre stage in her life. We always used to joke with her ‘what about my daughter?’. She doted on him.

“She wanted him to get married. That is the saddest thing. She was determined to see him married. Everytime she went into hospital she would come back fighting. It is so tragic that this happened.”

Kushal said: “Everytime I went to visit her she used to make me biscuits, her speciality.

“She was quite ill and fairly old but we knew she had at least another three or four years.

“She had a lot of love for all of us. I would see it in her face or hear it in her voice. She was so delighted and happy to see us.”

The family said she did not smoke and was bed ridden so did not use the kitchen in the care home. They are still puzzled as to the cause of the fire.

Mrs Patel leaves behind five children, eight grandchildren and three great grandchildren.

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