Yemeni Refugee and His Baby Daughter Killed In Possible Gang Retaliation Arson Attack “The father is a hero,” Oakland Police Chief LeRonne Armstrong said of Esam Musleh, who died alongside his 1-year-old daughter Aliyah Musleh in an alleged arson attack in Oakland on April 17. The Oakland Police Department’s Homicide Division holding a press conference. Photo: Oakland Pd A California father who escaped war in Yemen is being hailed a hero after he died attempting to rescue his 1-year-old daughter from a deadly house fire on Saturday. Esam Musleh, 37, and his baby daughter Aliyah Musleh, died after their home was set ablaze in a suspected arson attack on April 17, police said. Firefighters were dispatched to the family’s residence at around 12:14 a.m. after reports that a fire had been purposefully ignited and “several people and children” were trapped inside. Arson investigators indicated the fires were set intentionally. The Musleh's deaths are being investigated as homicides.