A man whose wife and two young daughters, aged three and one, died in a fire in Nottingham has described their deaths as a “cruel crime against my family”.
Aboubacarr Drammeh, 40, described his wife, Fatoumatta Hydara, as a “very happy and bubbly woman” as the police triple murder investigation continued.
Detectives arrested and are questioning a 31-year-old man from the Clifton area of Nottingham over the fire at the family’s flat in the early hours of Sunday.
Hydara, 28, had been on life support since the fire but died on Tuesday morning, two days after her two daughters, Fatimah Drammeh, three, and Naeemah Drammeh, one.
Paying tribute to his wife and daughters, Drammeh said: “It is with great sadness that we have lost Fatoumatta and our two daughters in such a tragic way.
“Fatoumatta had lived a short but very beautiful and full life. A former volunteer worker, Fatoumatta was a very cheerful and bubbly woman who wouldn’t have the heart to hurt a fly.
“So it is inconceivable to think who could have committed this cruel crime against my family.”
Drammeh returned from the US after the fire at his flat in Fairisle Close in Clifton, about four miles south of the city centre.
Nottinghamshire Police said detectives were continuing to work throughout the day.
DCI Mark Sinski, who is leading the investigation, said: “I would like to thank everyone who has come forward with information so far to assist our ongoing investigation.
“This is a very active investigation so I would ask anyone who has images of the surrounding area that have not yet been sent to us, or who has information that could assist our inquiries, to get in touch.
“There are no words to describe the pain the victims’ family are feeling right now and we are doing everything we can to get them the justice they deserve.
“Every piece of evidence we can gather will bring us closer to achieving this goal, so please contact us if you know anything or were in or around Fairisle Close between 12pm and 4.30am Sunday morning”.
The force has asked anyone with information about the fire to contact police online or call 101 and ask for Nottinghamshire Police.
