I shall live on their memories: Mother who lost all 7 children in Fujairah fire

A mother has been left devastated after she lost all her children on a single tragic night at Rol Didana area in Fujairah, United Arab Emirates. Salima Al Suraidi’s seven children aged between five and 13 years suffocated to death in the wee hours of last Monday (January 22) as a fire broke out at their villa.

In response to a call from the Ras Al Khaimah Sports and Cultural Club, mothers, grandmothers and educators have offered condolences to the distressed mother. The agonised mother, in her thirties, said she could do nothing but accept her fate and surrender to her destiny. "To Allah we belong, and to Him is our return," she said. "I shall live on their memories, and recall their words in which they were bidding her farewell."

They used to tell me that they wish to join their late father who died because of a serious chronic disease five years ago, she added. The twins I gave birth to one month after their father's death were talking about their father on their last day just hours before their sorrowful demise, she said.

"They grew up fast," she said. "I have been everything for them; their father, mother and friend."

One of Al Saridi's sisters was saying that her story and struggling in life deserves to be narrated. "This is because of the so many hardships and challenges I have been through on my own.

"The only one who was supporting and comforting me were my kids. Though I am trying to be patient, my mother does not stop crying over their loss and that is what I cannot take and tears my heart."

Al Saridi thanked the prudent leadership for their support and attempt to comfort her and ease her suffering. "On top of these are the instructions of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, to implement fire safety procedures and smoke detectors so that such tragic incidents do not take place."

Hesa Said, deputy president of the RAK Sports and Cultural Club, said their call to offer condolences to the mother was the least thing they can do. "This visit to the mother has had a significant positive impact on her. The members of the club spare no effort to enhance the social relationships among the members of the society."

'They kissed me and went to bed'

Recalling the fateful night, when she told her children to get to bed, Salima Al Suraidi said: “They kissed me and went to bed. A moment later, my son Ahmad came to remind me that I had not said the daily ‘dua’ of ‘May Allah bless you and keep you safe’. I smiled and said the ‘dua’ after which they went to sleep. The room’s door was left open by them because my 13-year-old son, Khalifa, was afraid of darkness and the open door allows light to filter in.”

After her sons went to sleep, Salima retired to her room, along with her daughters, and took her medication before going to bed.

“I went to bed at 11pm but a little after midnight, I woke up as my twin daughters, Sumaiya and Sara, were awake as they were suffering from flu and cough and were getting fitful sleep. I applied some ointment and olive oil to help them get some relief and they went back to sleep.”
Soon, Salima fell into a deep sleep due to her medication (which she had been taking after she underwent an operation).

3:45a.m.

“At 3.45am, I woke up as I was having difficulty in breathing. The room was pitch dark. So I switched on my mobile phone light and saw my daughter Shouk, who was sleeping next to me, with a fixed stare, unmoving.

"I went to my twin daughters Sumaiya and Sara and found them dead. I then went to my daughter Shaikha who was sleeping next to her sister in the same room to find her breathing her last.

“I then rushed to the other room where my three sons slept to find my sons Khalifa and Ahmad dead, but Ali was still fighting for his life. He walked to the living room where he fell unconscious and died.”

Salima said that she was pouring water on her two children Ali and Shaikha who were still alive at that time in a desperate bid to save them but her attempt was in vain.

“I tried to revive them but I did not succeed.”

Call for help

Going nearly mad with shock and grief, Salima said she ran to the door of the hall, managed to open it after several attempts and cried out for help to the maid and then ran to call for her brother Rashid’s help.

“I felt myself losing control. I had pain in my chest because of the smoke. My brother rushed to my house and by then a thick smoke had engulfed the house. He covered his face with his ghotra (headdress) as he tried to save my children but they had already died of suffocation.” said Salima.

Her brother called the police and ambulance services.

Salima said that her sons had been doing well at school, were polite boys and always participated in school activities. Her eldest daughter, Shouk, liked poetic verses.

Salima thanked the UAE leadership for their care and support which has soothed her traumatised heart.

His Highness Shaikh Mohammad Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Abu Dhabi Crown Prince and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, ordered to provide all necessary care and support for the grieving mother.

Salima prays for the souls of her children every day, asking Almighty Allah to keep her children in his mercy and grant them heaven as well as provide her with patience to endure her loss.

She thanked all UAE people for their support and concern which has provided her the much-needed succour.