Rescue HeroinE Dies In Blaze

[Lixle]

A GRANDMA's final act was to save her two grandchildren from a suspected arson blaze which then claimed her life.

 

The entrance to their top storey maisonette was blocked by a raging fire and Amina Ali tried to get the children to safety from a window 50 feet above the ground at the flats in Mount Street, Sharrow.

Passer-by Ndeka Richard Lufuluabo managed to catch the baby boy, who escaped unscathed.

His six-year-old sister, who plunged to the ground from the same window, was in Sheffield Children's Hospital recovering from a head injury today but police said it was not thought to be life threatening.

After getting the children from the flat, 56-year-old Mrs Ali sank from view and her body was found by firefighters who battled through the flames.

Her husband, aged 61, and another man, 35, managed to climb from the maisonette and cling to a narrow ledge before being pulled into neighbours' homes. The younger man had superficial burns to his arms.

A man, in his mid 30s, was arrested almost immediately and was still in custody today awaiting questioning over alleged arson.

The older man who es-caped was identified by neighbours as Mohammed Mahmood.

Their injured grandaughter is called Najma, according to people living nearby. Her father was contacted at work to be told of the tragedy, said onlookers who gathered at the scene. Neighbour Denise Boler, who called 999 after spotting the fire, said: "That poor lady had the baby dangling by one arm. She wanted someone to catch it."

Police have launched an investigation but said there were no immediate indications of any racist intent, though the motive remained unknown.

They set up a communications centre with an interpreter to allow members of the strong Somali community to ask questions.

Head of CID in South Yorkshire, Det Chief Supt John Hudson, said: "A man has been arrested on suspicion of setting fire to the flat."

Community leaders had been asked to attend so they could be kept informed of developments.

Mr Lufuluabo said: "I was walking past and the woman was hanging the baby out. She passed the baby to a man on another floor but he could not hold it and I caught it."

Neighbour Adam Yusuf said: "It is a terrible tragedy but I am concerned because there is only one door to the maisonettes and the windows are old and don't open wide."

 

03 February