Family pay tribute to man who died in building blaze

The family of a man who died in a huge fire at a Sartex Quilts and Textiles Ltd have paid tribute to him.

Mohamed Shakil Aboo, 47, of King Street South has been described as “unbelievably pleasant,” “humble” and “hardworking.”

Mr Aboo was one of five people working at the mill on Norwich Street when the blaze broke out on Wednesday 25 May. Mr Aboo was the only worker who didn’t escape.

Mr Aboo was the youngest of seven brothers and five sisters. He was originally from Kenya and settled in Rochdale twenty years ago.

Mr Aboo leaves behind three children, Abrar, 17, Sameer, 15 and Faheem, 12.

A family friend said: “He was so hardworking and so well known. He was very calm and committed. He was everybody’s friend and he always put everyone before himself.

“He didn’t deserve this.

“That kind of thing shouldn’t happen to that kind of person.”

Mr Aboo had only worked at Sartex for six weeks. He previously worked at Asda, Middleton Shopping Centre and T J Hughes.

The friend added: “We are so moved by what people have had to say.

“His hobbies really were just work, sleep and rest.

“He had a lot of time for his children and he was very close to his middle son.

“So many people knew him. We have been really touched by everybody.”

She continued: “We can’t accept it.

“Uncle Shakil was the representative of our family, he was good natured, well laid back, and he was friends with everyone.

“It is such a tragedy. We can accept that he has passed away it is difficult to accept the way he passed.

“It will haunt us forever.

“He has a special place in our heart and we like to think he has gone to a better place. We all loved him.”

“He is not replaceable, if anything we are grateful we had him.”

The family are hoping to hold Mr Aboo’s funeral later this week and are in the process of making arrangements.

The family have said that the situation is difficult enough for them to deal with without people speculating about the circumstances surrounding Mr Aboo’s death.