Parents of six children killed in UK fire still in custody
A mother and father are continuing to be held in England on suspicion of murder following an arson attack at their home which left six of their children dead.
Mick Philpott and his wife Mairead were arrested in Derby city centre yesterday in connection with the blaze at the house on May 11.
Five of their children – Jade, 10, John, nine, Jack, seven, Jessie, six, and Jayden, five – died in the fire, and a sixth – Duwayne, 13 – died of his injuries in Birmingham Children’s Hospital two days later.
Petrol was used to start the blaze at the house in Victory Road, Allenton, Derby, police have revealed.
Derbyshire Police said a 55-year-old man and a 31-year-old woman from Derby were detained together yesterday but did not name them.
They were taken into custody to be questioned over the arson.
The force said the arrests were “just one step further” in the investigation and urged people with crucial information to come forward.
Five days after the fire, Mr and Mrs Philpott faced the media in an emotional press conference.
Mr Philpott thanked those who tried to rescue his children and spoke of how he and his wife had decided to donate Duwayne’s organs for transplant, saying it “takes a bit of the pain away”.
The 55-year-old, who is believed to have fathered 17 children, was said by police to have made “valiant” efforts to rescue his children during the blaze.
Dubbed “Shameless Mick” in 2007 after demanding a larger council house, he is well known in the local community because of media reports about his large family, and has also appeared in a reality TV show alongside former government minister Ann Widdecombe.
Forensic examinations are continuing at the Philpotts’ semi-detached house, which was cordoned off and guarded by uniformed officers yesterday.
A mobile police office van was also parked outside the property, where numerous floral tributes still lay.
Assistant Chief Constable Steve Cotterill said: “I suspect there may still be people with crucial information who have not yet come forward to speak to us.
“In view of the arrests, I would urge anyone who may have been holding back, not felt comfortable to voice their concerns or not had the confidence, to do so now. They have my personal reassurance that we will deal with their information sensitively.
“We still need information to help us in this inquiry. The latest arrests are just one step further in the investigation.
“It is absolutely vital that if you know anything you think could help us, come forward now, do not wait any longer. It is important that we find justice for these six young children.”
He added: “Although the fire happened more than two weeks ago, this is a complex inquiry and it will take time for us to piece together the events from that tragic evening.
“I know this case has deeply affected the local community and residents want answers as to what happened and why.
“But I would ask them to be patient and to continue to show the excellent support they have given us to date.”
The force said it was increasing its presence on Victory Road with a mobile police station returning to the area along with extra patrols.
