A mother died two days after her two daughters, ages one and three, were killed in an arson attack.
Fatoumatta Hydara, 28, was taken to the hospital after a fire broke out in her first-floor flat in Clifton, Nottingham, at around 3.17 a.m. on Sunday.
She was critically injured in the blaze and was placed on life support at Queen’s Medical Centre, but she died this morning, according to police.
Her two daughters, one-year-old Naeemah and three-year-old Fatimah Drammeh were taken to the same hospital but tragically died soon after their arrival.
Police today released heartbreaking footage of the two girls happily playing together prior to the tragedy.
A joint police and fire investigation concluded that the fire was started deliberately and Nottinghamshire Police has launched a triple murder investigation.
A 31-year-old man, also from Clifton, was arrested on suspicion of murder on Sunday and police have been given additional time to question him.
The devastated father of the two young girls yesterday spoke of his grief as he tries to ‘come to terms with what has happened’.
Aboubacarr Drammeh, 40, said he was overcome with emotion as he arrived back in the UK from America yesterday. A source told Sky News Mr Drammeh had raced back ‘to be by his wife’s bedside’.
Detective Chief Inspector Mark Sinski, who is leading the investigation, said: ‘We are dealing with one of the most horrendous crimes – the death of two young children and their mother.
‘This is a deeply upsetting tragedy and I can only imagine the family’s pain. They include the woman’s husband and the father of the two children, who was not in the UK at the time of the fire.
‘Both he and other members of the family are being supported by specially-trained officers at this incredibly difficult time and we ask for the media to give them privacy while they deal with this incredible loss.
‘This has been an extremely traumatic event for them, and I’d like to reassure them we’re doing everything we possibly can to bring them the justice they deserve.
‘To achieve this, a large team of detectives has been working long days and nights to investigate the circumstances surrounding this tragic incident.
‘A number of specialists have also been examining the scene and this is likely to continue for some time. This is now being treated as a triple homicide.
Police have stated that high visibility patrols will be stationed in the area in the coming days to reassure residents.
‘The local community has been shocked and deeply saddened by the events of the past two days,’ DI Sinski added, thanking residents for their patience and understanding while we gather evidence at the scene.
‘I would also like to thank those who have already come forward, but I would urge anyone with any information, no matter how insignificant you believe it is, to contact us.’
‘We would like to speak with anyone who was in or around Fairisle Close between 12 a.m. and 4.30 a.m. on Sunday morning.’
Mr Drammeh, who arrived at the scene at around midday yesterday after flying back from the US, told the Times: ‘I am just grieving. I have come straight here from the airport and now I am going to the hospital to see my wife. I don’t know what has happened here…
‘This is just so upsetting. I haven’t started to come to terms with what has happened.’
Friends laid flowers at the scene where the fatal fire took place on Sunday.
One family friend, a tearful woman laying flowers at their home, wept: ‘It is heartbreaking. They are such a lovely family.’
She added: ‘I can’t think of anything worse to happen particularly at this time of year just before Christmas. It really is horrendous, your worst nightmare.’
On Sunday morning, forensic experts with sniffer dogs combed through the wreckage of the council home in Fairisle Close.
Debris could be seen clearly through the top broken window and the gutted flat below.
As the crime scene remained cordoned off, residents in adjoining flats were evacuated.
source:nsemwokrom.com
