Father-of-three Zubair Umerji lost his entire family in a blaze at their home.

Here in his own words he tells an inquest just what they meant to him.

Why are we here?

Why am I here?

What am I doing here?

I ask this to myself everyday. Only God knows. Should I have survived this to make this speech, this is the will of God and in my frail humanity, it is for me to tell you of my family.

On the morning of 8 July, 2017 what should have been a normal Saturday morning with my family turned into a day I will never forget for all the wrong reasons.

This was the day that my wonderful wife and our beloved children were taken away from me.

So I will start with Khadijah, who is my youngest daughter Khadijah.

My five-year-old daughter, Khadijah, was a confident and inquisitive child, a daddy’s girl and a real superstar. So many little gifts she had to offer but a true princess, she was a bright and eager on all aspects of life, Khadijah always went the extra mile, took it in her stride.

Overly excited to do everything, Khadijah was out shining star. On my return home, she always greeted my with such a smile and a big fat hug, she was one in a million, I have not known anybody like her very unique. My little princess (Daddy’s little princess what her mother always called her).

Then there’s Yousuf. Yousuf was very different from all of them. Yousuf has a brilliant personality, generous, loving caring and sharing. His smile shone, he beamed whenever he made new friends or welcomed old ones. Yousuf was a very “hands on” type of kid, always active and up to something or other. He loved getting up to mischief, the things he’s not supposed to do, but everybody cherished him. That’s the way Yousuf was.

Yousuf was always the cheeky one, the way we all knew him. He was our Yousuf with a big smile and a big heart.

Hammaad, despite his disadvantages, he laughed, giggled and comforted everybody around him. His joy and devotion for, Islamic poetry and recitation of the Quraan was well known to the schools. He was always very curious in everything he saw and did.

Hammaad’s school knew him as both generous and considerate. Whenever his behaviour did upset others, he was quick to apologise, to set things right. It may be with a hug he gave, and he was generous with hugs, or with a heartfelt “sorry miss” or “sorry mum”.

They know he meant it from the bottom of his great heart. This great heart, I don’t say it lightly, for he was indeed a striking personality, overflowing with joy and love of life. Confidently, I can say that whoever met him, they were mightily impressed.

Aneesa, the mother to all three of my children and a loving wife to me.

Aneesa, was a devoted mother who strived to give the best to her children. She was so good at building bridges with the local community and the school. Aneesa faced challenges that she confronted head on and defeated. She became the mother of three children who she nurtured.

Bringing out the best in them, as I have described before. What better, could there be than to have brought up Hammaad, Yousuf and Khadija. My wife gave me a contented home life. We have fun and joy in each others’ company. She was kind, diligent in her housework, she was a fabulous cook on top of these virtues.

Our marriage and family was as happy as is possible on our earth. I know that I will rejoin my family in Paradise for that is where they are, and I will be worthy, for their sake, to join them.

For the memories of my family, I have so many. Never will I forget them.

As I think so deeply of them, I know they will be looking down on me.

A special thank you to my in-laws, Ibrahim Adam and Zubeda Adam. For me being married to their daughter and having three beautiful children. Thank you for helping me for 15 years in my marriage and I really have to thank them for that.

My heart goes out to Aneesa’s parents who are devastated at the loss of their only daughter and their grandchildren.

I would like to take this opportunity to thank the Fire Service, Ambulance and Police for their support and assistance throughout that difficult day and beyond.

A special thank you to Birtenshaw School and Brandwood School for everything you have done to celebrate our children’s lives. The comfort and support received from the community was overwhelming following this terrible incident.

All the help and support afforded to me has given me the strength to keep my beautiful families memory alive.