Steve Davies remembers getting up to 'neighbours knocking on my door' amid a tragic fire that claimed the lives of two children and their mum in Nottingham. Mr Davies lives on the ground floor of the flat on Fairisle Close, Clifton, below where the tragedy unfolded just after 3am on Sunday, November 20 last year.
Jamie Barrow was convicted on Tuesday, July 4, of the murders of Fatoumatta Hydara, 28, and daughters three-year-old Fatimah Drammeh and one-year-old Naeemah Drammeh, who died from smoke inhalation. He was also found guilty of arson being reckless as to whether life was endangered.
Mr Davies, 54, recalls watching Netflix in the early hours of November 20 last year, when he got up to neighbours knocking on his front door. "I did not know my bathroom was on fire", he told Nottinghamshire Live. "I packed my stuff - my money and documents - and I ran around the back with the neighbours."
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He added: "There was a lot of smoke. I just saw a lot of commotion. I did not hear anything. "I did not know that someone was inside when it happened. I would have tried to run inside or at least attempt to."
The neighbour added: "I could have died as well if the neighbours did not knock on my door. I was up watching Netflix, but I did not hear anything."
Mr Davies said he did not know Barrow, his neighbour, who was found guilty of murder following a trial at Nottingham Crown Court. "It has devastated the community", he added. "I think he got everything he deserved."
The neighbour described Mrs Hydara as a "nice lady" and her two children as "lovely". "They were good neighbours. It is very sad", he added. "The children would be playing outside - they were just a nice family living a normal life.
"I do not know who is going to move into a flat where three people were murdered. I would be a bit reluctant."
However he said that the tragedy did not make him want to leave the area. "What else could I do? I did not want to give up my home."
Pink balloons were left at the property on Tuesday, July 4, following Barrow's conviction. The community in Clifton who are still mourning the family have spoken out over their loss.
Chris McGowan, aged 56, said his footage was used in the police investigation. He said "good" in response to the news of Barrow's conviction.
"It was my CCTV that caught him [Barrow]", he added. "I did not know anything had happened until the next day. But I knew the family."
Jack Cooper, who has lived in the area for 25 years, added: "What he did was awful. He killed a mum and two children.
"It brings justice to the family but it is not going to bring family members back. It is one of the biggest tragedies I have heard of.
"I am glad that he was brought to justice and that he is not walking the streets." The 29-year-old recalls seeing the fire engines at the scene.
"We did not know what went off at the time", he added. "It is sad - the dad is now on his own."
Reclusive Barrow had admitted the manslaughter of the young family but denied their murder, claiming he believed the property was unoccupied at the time. But a jury convicted him unanimously on Tuesday morning, July 4 of their murder. He will be sentenced on Friday, July 7.
