Story one
Five children have died in a house
fire in Derby and a sixth child was seriously injured.
The parents, Mick and Mairead
Philpott, managed to escape the blaze which enveloped their house on Victory
Road, Derby but were unable to rescue their young children Jade, John, Jack,
Jessie and Jaden.
The ages of the children who died
range from five up to 10 years old. A sixth child, aged 13, was taken to
hospital in Birmingham for specialist treatment.
When emergency services arrived,
the fire had already spread throughout the first floor and Mr and Mrs Philpott
were desperately trying to rescue their children from the ensuing carnage. Gavin
Tomlinson, area manager for Derbyshire Fire and Rescue, realised that hopes of
a rescue effort looked bleak.
“When we arrived, we had a rapidly
developing house fire on the ground floor of the property and the first floor
was very heavily smoke-clogged.”
Neighbours were awoken by the sound
of the fire department’s arrival. The sight of the lifeless bodies was
particularly disturbing to one neighbour, whose own children were friends of
the deceased.
“We saw smoke coming from the
windows. Then they started to bring the children out.
“They tried mouth-to-mouth but you
could see it was no good. I woke up my children and they were watching – it was
terrible because they used to play together.”
Patricia Hurd, headteacher of St
George’s Catholic Primary School, the school of the five children who died, say
their deaths are a tragic loss to the community.
“They leave a huge gap in our
school community and will be sadly missed by all of us.”
An inquiry into the house fire is
underway but is still in the very early stages. Police are appealing for anyone
with information that could aid the investigation to contact them on 101.
Story two
A sixth child has died after a
house fire in Derby which claimed the lives of five children last Friday.
Duwayne Philpott, 13, was taken to
Birmingham Children’s Hospital with serious injuries after he and five of his
siblings were trapped inside the house on Victory Road. His sister Jade (aged
10) and brothers John (nine), Jack (seven), Jessie (six) and Jayden (five) all
died in the fire.
Duwayne was kept in a specialist
treatment centre at the hospital overnight but eventually succumbed to his
injuries. His parents were with him when he died.
An ongoing enquiry into the blaze suggests
that the fire was started intentionally. Assistant Chief Constable Steve
Cotterill claims experts have been brought in for further investigation. Police
hope to obtain a statement from the parents in the near future.
“Initial indications are that the
fire was deliberately set and as a result six children have been unlawfully
killed.
“The forensic examination is still
continuing.
“A number of specialists, including
fingerprint officers have been examining the scene and are likely to continue
for some time.
“We have yet to speak in detail with Mr and
Mrs Philpott as understandably the couple are distraught at the loss of their
six children.”
Local councillor Karen Hillier
believes that the support of the community at this distressing time will be
instrumental in the Philpotts’ road to recovery.
“In times like this when the
emotion is felt it brings people together more.
“I think it’s been a shock and the
reality is just starting to set in now as well.”
Condolences have been offered to
the family from church-goers at Derby Cathedral, who have produced a book which
will be given to them after the funeral. Reverend Canon Elaine Jones said
people have been moved to offer support for the family and the book has been
signed by “hundreds” of people.
Story three
The parents of six children who
were killed in a house fire in Derby have been arrested on suspicion of their murders.
Mick (55) and Mairead (31) are
being held by police for questioning following a fire at their home on Victoria
Road, which claimed the lives of six of their children Duwayne (13), Jade (10),
John (nine), Jack (seven), Jessie (six) and Jayden (five).
The eldest child, Duwayne, was initially
taken to Birmingham Children’s Hospital after being pulled from the burning
house but eventually died due to the severity of his injuries.
Initial investigations by police
suggested that the fire was set deliberately. Reports stated that forensic
evidence show petrol was poured through the letter-box and then set alight. Police
are appealing to anyone who may have vital information relating to the incident
to get in touch as soon as possible.
Assistant Chief Constable Steve Cotterill has stated that matters will
be dealt with considerately and appropriately.
“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. It is important that we find justice for these six
young children.”
Witnesses of the blaze were
stricken by the sight of the house fire and news of the children’s deaths. A
neighbour of the family recalled the shocking experience.
“We were woken by the sound of the
sirens.
“The ambulance was parked outside
my house. We saw smoke coming out of the windows. Then they started to bring
the children out.
“They tried mouth-to-mouth on the
children but you could see it was no good. I woke up my children and they were
watching – it was terrible because they used to play together.”
Five of the six children attended
St George’s Catholic Primary School in Littleover, Derby. Headteacher Patricia
Hurd spoke of the devastating loss the school has suffered.
“They leave a huge gap in our
school community and will be sadly missed by all of us.”
Mick Philpott is no stranger to the
media spotlight. He once appealed for a larger house to share with his wife,
his girlfriend and eight of the 17 children he is assumed to have fathered, a
story that was picked up by the media five years ago. He was also involved in a
documentary on the issue of welfare culture which featured former Conservative
MP Ann Widdecombe.
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