‘My heart is aching every day’
CLIFTON FLAT FIRE TRAGEDY: GRANDMOTHER SPEAKS OF FAMILY’S DEVASTATING LOSS
A DEVASTATED grandmother has spoken of her heartache after losing her daughter and two grandchildren in a house fire in Clifton.
Aminata Dibba, 44, from The Meadows, described her daughter as her best friend.
Fatoumatta Hydara, 28, was taken to the Queen’s Medical Centre after the fire at the flat in Fairisle Close, Clifton, at 3.17am on Sunday.
She was placed on a life support machine but died on Tuesday morning – just 48 hours after her two young daughters died.
Naeemah Drammeh and Fatimah
Drammeh, aged one and three, had been taken to the same hospital but were pronounced dead shortly after arrival on Sunday.
Speaking of the tragedy, Ms Dibba, who is originally from Gambia but moved to the UK with her family 20 years ago, said: “My heart is aching every day. I cannot sleep.
“Everyone who knew her loved her. She was very vibrant and bubbly – and she was always smiling.”
The devastated mum added: “Obviously she lives in Clifton, but she was staying over at our house for a few days.
“She came on Thursday, and left on Saturday, just a day before the fire.
“And that is the last time I saw her. An awful coincidence.”
On Sunday morning, police came to Ms Dibba’s home. “I went straight to the hospital. I was in shock. I was crying,” she said. “We just do not know what happened to my daughter. It hurts because we want answers. It is hard to understand because everyone who knew her loved her. She started working as a volunteer when she was only 17.”
Fatoumatta, who was the oldest of five children, has been described as “beautiful and kind”.
Her mum paid tribute to her late daughter, adding: “She had a very kind heart. She was my oldest daughter. I had her when I was young. She was my best friend.
“Every time when she wanted to wear something, or buy something, she would always come to me. I lost my best friend, and also my two grandchildren.”
Ms Dibba said the whole family were “heartbroken and shocked” after the tragedy.
“The only thing that would bring us peace is justice. We want to thank the police. And I also want to thank everyone from the bottom of my heart for their support.
“People were very supportive of us and we are very grateful. This tragedy does not feel real. It all feels like a nightmare at the moment. It is very hard to understand why this happened to such a beautiful and kind woman.”