A mother Fatoumatta Hydara, 28, and her two daughters Naeemah, one, and Fatimah, three, have died following a flat fire in Nottingham

A murder investigation has been launched after a mother and her two daughters died following a flat fire in Clifton, Nottingham.Fatoumatta Hydara, 28, had been on life support for two days after the fire in her flat killed her two daughters Naeemah, one, and Fatimah, three, on Sunday. The mother of two sadly died this morning.According to ITV News, Fatoumatta's husband was not in the country at the time of the fire.A 31 year old man from Clifton was arrested on Sunday and remains in custody.

Det Ch Insp Mark Sinski, said in a statement: "We are dealing with one of the most horrendous crimes - the death of two young children and their mother.

"This is a deeply upsetting tragedy and I can only imagine the family's pain. They include the woman's husband and the father of the two children, who was not in the UK at the time of the fire.

"Both he and other members of the family are being supported by specially-trained officers at this incredibly difficult time and we ask for the media to give them privacy while they deal with this incredible loss.

"This has been an extremely traumatic event for them and I'd like to reassure them we're doing everything we possibly can to bring them the justice they deserve."

He added: "The local community has been shocked and deeply saddened by the events of the past two days and I want to thank those living in the area for the patience and understanding while we gather evidence at the scene.

"I also want to thank those who have already come forward, but I would urge anyone with any information, regardless of how insignificant you think it may be, to contact us.