Andreas and Sofia Leskou, a beloved Cypriot couple in London, tragically died in a fire at their home on Albemarle Road, Barnet, early on January 16, 2026.
Four fire engines and about 25 firefighters rushed to help. The fire started on the ground floor of their two-story house. Firefighters got the couple out, but paramedics confirmed they had died at the scene. Authorities said they died from smoke inhalation.
Investigators believe the fire was caused by candles that ignited nearby flammable items. The family shared that Andreas and Sofia often lit a memorial candle among religious icons and photos of loved ones—a gesture of remembrance that sadly turned deadly.
A spokesperson for the London Fire Brigade reminded everyone that candles are a common fire risk. They stressed the importance of never leaving them unattended and keeping them away from flammable materials. They also suggested using electric or LED candles as safer options.
Andreas Leskou was born in Famagusta on November 9, 1935, and Sofia Leskou was born on November 21, 1935, in Pano Kyvidia. They met in Vauxhall, London, in 1958 and married the next year. They built a life together filled with work, family, and Cypriot traditions. Together, they opened Lescou’s Delicatessen, which became a community landmark with stores in Swiss Cottage, Palmers Green, Friern Barnet, and Hendon in London, as well as in Limassol.
The couple leaves behind two daughters, Despina and Chrystalla, along with five grandchildren: Amelia, Sofia, Grigoris, Phyto, and Andreas. Their joint funeral will be held at 11:00 AM on Thursday, February 12th at St. Catherine’s Church in Barnet. They will be buried at New Southgate Cemetery & Crematorium. Afterward, friends and family will gather for a modest reception at the church’s community center to celebrate their lives.
The family asks that instead of flowers, those wishing to honor Andreas and Sofia’s memory support AgeUK through JustGiving.
