By Anna Whittaker, Local Democracy Reporter
A community has been left “devastated” after two children were killed in a flat fire in Clifton.
A 31-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of murder and attempted murder following the fire in Fairisle Close, Clifton, at 3.17am on November 20.
The girls were taken to the Queen’s Medical Centre in Nottingham, but were pronounced dead.
Their mother was also taken to the hospital, where she remains in a critical condition.
A joint investigation by Nottinghamshire police and Nottinghamshire Fire and Rescue Service found the fire was started deliberately.
Inspector Karl Thomas, local area commander for City South for Nottinghamshire police, spoke to reporters at the scene on November 21 and said the force will “turn every stone to make sure this family gets justice”.
Councillor Kevin Clarke, representing Clifton East (Ind) told the Local Democracy Reporting Service: “We are absolutely shocked by it all, the community is devastated.
“It takes some believing that something like this could happen in our community.
“I’m very saddened and our thoughts go out to the family of these young children.
“We are available should anyone need any help.
“Some residents were temporarily housed at the university because they’ve got emergency accommodation and one family has been temporarily rehomed by Nottingham City Homes.
“It’s a devastating time for everybody, it’s unbelievable.”
Resident Adam Lamb said he has only lived in the area for five months.
He said: “When it happened I heard all the commotion and saw the fire engines. It’s shocking.
“I put some flowers and a teddy down to show respect.
“I’ve got little kids myself and I can’t imagine what the mum will be going through.”
Conservative councillor Andrew Rule added: “I was deeply saddened to hear of this incident yesterday which has the incident has cost the lives of two innocent children making it all the more devastating.
“My thoughts are with the families at this time. I would repeat the appeals from the police for any information or CCTV footage from the surrounding area from local residents.”
Lilian Greenwood, MP for Nottingham South, said the community will be “deeply shocked and saddened by the terrible news”.
She said: “Our thoughts and prayers are with the young mother who remains critically ill, and with all those in Clifton and across the city who will have been affected by this heartbreaking event.
“I’ll do everything I can to support my constituents and the local community in the days and weeks ahead.
“It’s devastating to hear that the fire was started deliberately. I hope that anyone who may have seen anything which could assist the police with their investigation will come forward.”
Insp Thomas added: “It’s with great sorrow that I speak today regarding the family where a one-year-old and a three-year-old lost their lives in a fire during the early hours of the morning on November 20.
“The mother, a 28-year-old female, is in a critical condition and our prayers are with her at this time.
“Detectives are working around the clock to try and piece together this enquiry. I am pleased to confirm an arrest has been made.”
He asked anyone with information to come forward through 101.
