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Two people arrested over Derby house fire that killed six children Parents arrested over Derby house fire that killed six children
(about 3 hours later)
Detectives investigating a fire in which six children died have arrested two people on suspicion of murder. Detectives investigating a fire in which six children died have arrested their parents on suspicion of murder.
A 55-year-old man and a 31-year-old woman, who are from Derby, were arrested on Tuesday morning, Derbyshire police confirmed. They have not been identified by police, but it is believed they are the children's parents, Mick Philpott and his wife, Mairead. The Derbyshire force confirmed that a 55-year-old man and a 31-year-old woman, who are from Derby, were arrested on Tuesday morning. They have not been identified by police but it is thought they are Mick Philpott and his wife Mairead.
They are in custody and will be questioned by officers in due course. At a press conference on Tuesday, the force's assistant chief constable Steve Cotterill said a couple – whom he did not name – had been arrested at 10am in Derby city centre. They are being questioned on suspicion of murder.
A fire broke out at the house in Victory Road, Allenton, in the early hours of Friday 11 May, resulting in the deaths of six children. A fierce fire broke out at the house in Victory Road, Allenton, in the early hours of Friday 11 May, resulting in the deaths of six children.
The victims are Duwayne Philpott, 13, who died of his injuries in hospital, Jade Philpott, 10, and brothers John Philpott, nine, Jack Philpott, seven, Jessie Philpott, six, and Jayden Philpott, five. The victims were Duwayne Philpott, 13, who died of his injuries in hospital; Jade Philpott, 10, and brothers John Philpott, nine, Jack Philpott, seven, Jessie Philpott, six, and Jayden Philpott, five, who died from their injuries.
Assistant Chief Constable Steve Cotterill of Derbyshire police said: "I suspect there may still be people with crucial information who have not yet come forward to speak to us. The assistant chief constable urged people with information to get in touch, saying: "Please do the right thing for the six children who died in the fire. 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.
"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. "What we need to do now is carefully take our time, question the two individuals concerned and piece it together with everything else we know to date."
"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." Earlier, Cotterill said: "I suspect there may still be people with crucial information who have not yet come forward to speak to us."
The assistant chief constable emphasised that the investigation was ongoing and would be a lengthy process as it was a complex inquiry. He gave them a "personal reassurance" that police would deal with their information sensitively.
Police have again increased their presence on Victory Road. The mobile police station will return to the area and there will be extra patrols. The officer emphasised that the investigation was still ongoing and would be a lengthy process as it was a complex inquiry. Other people have been arrested and subsequently released on bail.
At a press conference on 16 May, Mick Philpott, spoke of his anguish and said he and his wife had been overwhelmed with support from the local community. Police have again increased their presence on Victory Road at the scene of the fire. The mobile police station will return and there will be extra patrols in the area. The front door, where petrol was apparently poured, has been replaced. Floral tributes will be taken away by police and placed in a nearby church.
Police believe the fire was started when petrol was posted through the letterbox. At a press conference five days after the fire, on 16 May, Mick Philpott spoke of his anguish and said he and his wife had been overwhelmed with support from the local community.
A 28-year-old woman and a 38-year-old man, both from Derby, thought to be Philpott's former girlfriend and her new partner, were arrested by officers investigating the deaths, but were later released without charge. Philpott revealed that the couple had donated Duwayne's organs to another child, which "took away" some of their pain. The couple said they had been overwhelmed by the response of the community.
The children were asleep in their beds upstairs when the fire broke out at the semi-detached property in the early hours. Their parents were downstairs. A 28-year-old woman and a 38-year-old man, both from Derby, were arrested by officers investigating the deaths, but were subsequently released without charge.
Mick Philpott has been the subject of a documentary with Ann Widdecombe on the issue of child welfare. The children were asleep in their beds upstairs when the fire broke out at the semi-detached property in the early hours.
Police have removed two vehicles from the couple's home including a caravan and van for forensic examination. A uniformed officer is standing guard outside the property, which is taped off.
Cotterill said he appreciated the case had deeply affected the local community and residents wanted answers as to what had happened and why. He urged them to be patient "and to continue to show the excellent support they have given us to date".
Anyone with information was urged to contact the police on 101 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111