Family Dreams Shattered in Tragic Fire
A heartbroken husband’s dreams of a fresh start in America with his wife and two daughters were brutally destroyed by a devastating fire. Aboubacarr Drammeh was arranging visas for his wife Fatoumatta and their little girls to join him in Minnesota, where he works as a biomedical technologist.
But tragedy struck their flat in Fairisle Close, Clifton, in the early hours of Sunday, 20 November. Three-year-old Fatimah and one-year-old Naeemah died at Queen’s Medical Centre shortly after the blaze. Two days later, Fatoumatta passed away in intensive care. Aboubacarr now faces life without the family he adored.
Heartbreaking Final Moments and Family Memories
“It was 5am when I got the call. I was praying and then saw five missed calls from their grandmother. She said the kids didn’t make it and Fatoumatta was in intensive care,” Aboubacarr said. “I flew back alone. Every other trip was happy – this one was a blur.”
He described his wife as kind, compassionate, and deeply faithful. “She loved the kids. They baked cookies and cupcakes together, had fun at home, and enjoyed family holidays in places like Edinburgh, Plymouth, and The Gambia.”
Aboubacarr added, “We just wanted to give the kids a good education and a better future, whether in the US or anywhere in the world.”
Relentless Loss: The Children’s Joyful Spirits Remembered
Both daughters brought light to Aboubacarr’s life daily via FaceTime. Fatimah loved nursery rhymes and TV shows like Peppa Pig, always making him sing “head, shoulders, knees and toes.” Little Naeemah, who recently turned one, adored milk and was quickly gaining confidence as she learned to walk.
“They were happy children who loved their grandparents and each other,” he said.
Family and Community Mourn Irreplaceable Loss
Fatoumatta’s uncles, Dawda and Bubacarr Dibba, also shared touching tributes. Dawda said, “She was bubbly, full of passion, and made everyone part of the family. We are shattered by the loss of her and the children.”
Bubacarr, who flew in from Germany, added, “She always put others first. We hoped she would pull through until the last moment.”
A joint police and fire investigation revealed the fire was started deliberately. Jamie Barrow, 31, of Fairisle Close, was charged with the murders. He appeared in court on Friday and was remanded in custody.
