A man whose wife and two young daughters, aged three and one, were killed 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, bubbly woman” as the police’s 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 blaze 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 a very beautiful and fulfilling life. A former voluntary worker, Fatoumatta was a very happy, bubbly woman who wouldn’t have the heart to hurt a fly.
“It is therefore inconceivable to think who might have committed this cruel crime against my family.”
Drammeh flew back from the US after the fire at their flat in Fairisle Close in Clifton, about four miles south of the city centre.
Nottinghamshire police said detectives were continuing to work around the clock.
DCI Mark Sinski, who is leading the investigation, said: “I’d like to thank everyone who has come forward with information so far to aid our ongoing investigation.
“This is very much an active investigation though, so I’d ask anyone who has any footage from the surrounding area they haven’t sent to us yet or has any information that could assist our inquiries, to please get in touch.
“No words can describe the pain the family of the victims are all feeling right now and we are doing everything possible to get them the justice they deserve.
“Every piece of evidence we can gather will get us closer to achieving that goal – so please get in touch with us if you know anything or were in or around Fairisle Close between 12am and 4.30am on Sunday morning.”
The force has asked anyone with information about the fire to contact police online, or to call 101 and ask for Nottinghamshire police.
