Tragic Fire Claims Life of Family Dreaming of New Life in America
A devastated husband has opened up after losing his wife and two young daughters in a horrific fire – just as they were about to join him in the US.
Family’s Bright Future Shattered
Aboubacarr Drammeh, a biomedical technologist living in Minnesota, was preparing for his wife Fatoumatta and their daughters, three-year-old Fatimah and one-year-old Naeemah, to move to America. Visas were in the final stages, with the last interview scheduled for November 29.
But heartbreak struck when a fire broke out at their flat in Fairisle Close, Clifton, early on Sunday (20 November). Fatimah and Naeemah died shortly after arriving at Queen’s Medical Centre, while Fatoumatta passed away two days later.
“I Still Can’t Understand Why”
“The plan was to move Fatoumatta and the kids to America so we could all live together. That’s not going to happen now, and I can’t understand why,” said Aboubacarr.
He recalled the devastating phone call from the children’s grandmother at 5am. “I was praying when I saw five missed calls. She was crying and told me the children didn’t make it and Fatoumatta was in intensive care. I flew straight back to the UK alone. It’s a blur.”
A Loving Mother and Wife Taken Too Soon
Aboubacarr painted a warm picture of Fatoumatta as a gentle, compassionate woman who cared deeply about her family and community. They had been married since 2014, introduced through her uncle.
“Fatoumatta was a very faithful, kind person. She loved the kids and they enjoyed baking cookies and cupcakes together. We also shared vacations to Edinburgh, Plymouth, and The Gambia, where we’re both from,” he said.
Fatoumatta worked in care homes, assisted in delivering babies with St John Ambulance, and aspired to a career in women’s health.
Heartbreaking Final Moments and Family Tributes
Aboubacarr last spoke with Fatoumatta just hours before the blaze. They joked about the upcoming trip to America and reminisced about family outings just months prior.
He also paid tribute to his daughters:
- Fatimah loved nursery rhymes, children’s TV like Peppa Pig, and FaceTime singalongs.
- Naeemah, who had just turned one, was a joyful, curious toddler who adored milk and was beginning to walk.
Relatives expressed their heartbreak, describing Fatoumatta as full of passion and humour. Fatoumatta’s uncles said the family felt broken beyond repair.
Man Charged with Murder Over Blaze
A joint police and fire investigation concluded the fire was deliberately started. On Thursday, Jamie Barrow, 31, of Fairisle Close, Clifton, was charged with the murders. He appeared in court on Friday and was remanded in custody.
This tragic blaze has robbed a family of their future, leaving a loving husband and a shattered community in mourning.
