THE NEIGHBOUR accused of starting a deadly fire which killed a mother and two children has told a court he thought the home was empty.

In April, Jamie Barrow pleaded guilty to the manslaughter of Fatimah Drammeh, three; and Naeemah Drammeh, 1, in the blaze in Clifton, Nottingham, in November 2022.

He also admitted being responsible for the death of the girl’s mother Fatoumatta Hydara, who died two days later in hospital from smoke inhalation.

Barrow has denied three counts of murder and told Nottingham Crown Court he had no intention to kill the family.

“I understand that I’m responsible for the deaths of the three individuals who sadly died, but I had no intent to actually kill them,” he said.

The court heard how the 31-year-old had a troubled upbringing and he had been suffering with his mental health.

The BBC reported he has suffered “sexual, physical and mental abuse” as a child and was “mesmerised” by flames

“When I sit and watch fire it mesmerises me, and it takes my stress away,” he said.

Barrow told the court he used fire to “release stress”.

He also said he wanted to apologies to the family of the victims “from the bottom of my heart.”

The children died shortly after arriving at Queen’s Medical Centre.

The children’s father Aboubacarr Drammeh  has previously said his wife and two children were due to join him for a new life in America – where he works as a biomedical technologist.

Mr Drammeh was out of the country at the time of the fire.

He was in the process of securing visas for his wife Fatoumatta and their two young daughters so they could join him in Minnesota.

The trial continues