Husband pays tribute to wife and daughters who died after fire

Fatoumatta Hydara died on Tuesday - two days after her daughters Naeemah Drammeh and Fatimah Drammeh were pronounced dead

A husband has paid tribute to his wife and two young daughters who died after a flat fire.

One-year-old Naeemah Drammeh and Fatimah Drammeh, aged three, were taken to hospital but later died after the fire in Fairisle Close, Clifton, Nottingham, on Sunday morning.

Their mother, 28-year-old Fatoumatta Hydara, was put on a life-support machine but died on Tuesday.

Aboubacarr Drammeh, 40, said he would "deeply miss" his family.

An investigation found the fire, which was in a first floor flat of a two-storey property, was started deliberately.

A 31-year-old man, from Clifton, has been arrested on suspicion of murder and remains in custody.

Nottinghamshire Police are applying for more time to question him, in addition to the 36-hour extension announced on Tuesday.

Police said officers did not currently believe the fatal fire was "racially-motivated".

A joint investigation by the police and fire service concluded the fire was started deliberately

Mr Drammeh - who flew back from the US after the fire - said his wife, a former voluntary worker, had lived "a short but a very beautiful and fulfilling life".

"Fatoumatta was a very happy, bubbly woman who wouldn't have the heart to hurt a fly," he said.

"It is therefore inconceivable to think who might have committed this cruel crime against my family."

Mr Drammeh also thanked the Ahmadi Muslim community in Nottinghamshire, the Gambian community, neighbours and well-wishers for their support.

Mr Drammeh said he would "deeply miss" his family

Police have urged anyone who was in and around Fairisle Close between 00:00 and 04:30 GMT on Sunday to speak to officers.

Insp Karl Thomas said the fire was not currently believed to be a "racially-motivated incident".

"However, we are keeping an open mind on that," he said.

Flowers, balloons and tributes have been left outside the family's home in Fairisle Close

The force has urged any witnesses to come forward

He said the fire was being treated as "an isolated incident" but officers were carrying out high-visibility patrols "to reassure the community".

Insp Thomas said 40 detectives were working on the inquiry, including officers from neighbouring Leicestershire and Derbyshire forces.

"This is a truly horrific incident that has rocked the community. All our attention is on gathering the evidence and doing everything we can to ensure this family gets justice," he added.