TRIBUTES have been paid to the middle-aged woman who died in a fire in Devizes being treated as arson by police.

Ulla Derrick, 51, of Waiblingen Way, died in hospital last Tuesday just hours after being rescued from her her smoke-filled first floor flat after a sofa went up in flames in the stairwell below.

A 20-year-old man from Devizes was arrested the same night on suspicion of murder but was later released by police on conditional bail which prevents him going to Waiblingen Way.

In a tribute to Ulla her family said: “A senseless act has denied us of a beautifully free spirited daughter, mother and life partner.

“She loved her family and friends very much along with a passion for art and music. And you were loved by her too. She will be missed, forever.

“Sure you’re having a giggle and a dance up there in heaven. Rest in peace.”

She leaves her partner Paul and son Matty.

Friend Tracy Pottage said: “Such a beautiful lady. Such a free spirit. Go now and be free.”

Devizes people have raised thousands of pounds for a fund set up by Liz Denbury and she has also collected a large amount of clothing and other essential items for families left homeless by the fire.

She said: “I have been overwhelmed by the amount of support that the fund has received. People have given everything from furniture to food and toiletries. Money has come from Devizes Town Council which held a Christmas jumper day, an event at Vinyl Realm record shop and the One Stop in Eastleigh Road.

“We now have enough goods but it is important the fundraising continues.”

Some of the money raised will go towards helping to pay for a funeral for Ms Derrick. No date has yet been set for the service.

Among the people helped by the fund is Alessandro Nateri, 35, and his two sons William, seven, and Thomas, five.

They have been re-homes in Rowde, near Devizes. But Mr Nateri, who runs a cafe in Melksham and once worked as a chef in the former Isola Bella restaurant in Devizes, says he does not want to return to Waiblingen Way because of the way it might effect his sons.

He said: “It is not a good place for them to be.” They had only lived in Waiblingen Way for a week when the fire broke out.

He said: “We managed to survive that terrible tragedy. Luckily our smoke alarm woke us up and we were able to escape through a window. He says he will never forget the look of terror on his elder boy’s face as they fled.

“Our flat was right next to where the fire started. Thomas was crying in his bottom bed and I ran to take and put him in the living room which was the only one not full of smoke.

“William jumped from his top bed and run back to me with terror on his face. My flat was number 80, facing the staircase where the fire was. We went through the living room window absolutely petrified into the rain and cold.”

Aster has hired a security guard to patrol and police inquiries are continuing. To give to the fund go to gf.me/v/c/8fsc/waiblingen-way-fire-fund