Remains quiet after start of accusations (3)
I believe the answer is:
ash
'remains' is the definition.
(remains of a fire)
'quiet after start of accusations' is the wordplay.
'quiet' becomes 'sh' (both can be said to tell someone to be quiet).
'after' means one lot of letters go next to another.
'start of' suggests taking the first letters.
The initial letter of 'accusations' is 'a'.
'sh' put after 'a' is 'ASH'.
(Other definitions for ash that I've seen before include "In fireplace it may be" , "Hardwood" , "-- Wednesday" , "Tree with silver-grey bark" , "Tree with keys" .)