Police have confirmed that a young mum has tragically died in hospital two days after her children were killed in a fire that broke out at their home. Fatoumatta Hydara, 28, was rushed to Queen's Medical Centre after the blaze emerged at around 3:17am on November 20 in her flat in the Clifton area of Nottingham.
The mum of two was placed on life support but passed away on Tuesday morning after her daughters, Naeemah Drammeh, 1, and three-year-old Fatimah Drammeh died, the Mirror reports.
A triple murder inquiry has been launched after a joint fire and police investigation concluded that the blaze was started on purpose. A 31-year-old man was arrested on Sunday night and currently remains in custody after police were given an additional 36 hours to interview him.
The fire was put out at around 4am by firefighters while neighbouring property were temporarily evacuated. Fatoutmatta's husband, Aboubacarr Drammeh, 40, who is also the father of the children, flew back to the UK from the US and visited the scene of the fatal fire yesterday.
Detectives said he and other family have suffered an ''incredible loss'' and said they were being given support by specially trained officers. 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. The local community has been shocked and deeply saddened by the events of the past two days and I want to thank those living in the area for the patience and understanding while we gather evidence at the scene.
"I also want to thank those who have already come forward, but I would urge anyone with any information, regardless of how insignificant you think it may be, to contact us. We would specifically like to speak to anyone who was in or around Fairisle Close between 12am and 4.30am on Sunday morning."
Speaking on Monday outside the badly smoke-damaged flat, Mr Drammeh said: "I am just grieving. I have just flown in from America.
"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. I need to try and understand what. This is just so upsetting.
"I haven't started to come to terms with what has happened." Horrified neighbours have described the desperate attempts made to save the lives of the children after they were carried out of the flames and taken to safety by firefighters.
Downstairs neighbour, Steven Davies, 54, said: "I woke up and the building was on fire. I saw the police drag out the little ones. The smoke was terrible.
"The kids would have had no chance. The lady who lives there was really kind. The children were lovely.
"They were normal little kids. They were lifeless when they got them out of the flat, proper dead.
"This is just a malicious act, and whoever did it deserves what they are going to get." Another neighbour, who asked to remain anonymous said: "It's just horrendous. I was actually awake when it was all happening but I was watching a film in bed with my headphones on.
" I could hear a lad shouting, but at first, I thought it was part of the movie. I eventually looked out and saw the flashing blue lights.
"We couldn't see any flames – it was just all smoke. There was a lot of it - you can see the blackening around the window. At one point there was a mad dash, and firemen went running inside.
"My girlfriend and I watched them bring the two kids. Three fire officers were carrying what we think was probably the three-year-old, then one officer came out holding the toddler.
"They carried them just over the road and were working on them for ages doing CPR, it must have been a good 30 minutes. But obviously it was too late.
"It's a tragedy – I've got grandchildren myself and to see that was just awful. We didn’t see them bring the woman out. I just really know her to say hello to, but she seems nice."
Police confirmed that high visibility patrols will be in the area over the upcoming days to offer reassurances and speak to residents regarding any worries they may have. Anyone with information that could assist the investigation is asked to submit it here.
You can also call 101 and ask for Nottinghamshire Police quoting incident 110 of 20 November 2022. Alternatively, witnesses can contact the independent crime-fighting charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or through their anonymous online form at www.crimestoppers-uk.org.
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