Fatal Derby house fire was started with petrol
The fire in a Derby council house in which six children died was started by petrol below the letterbox in the hallway.
Derbyshire police have released more details about the tragic blaze in Victory Road, Allenton, and urged residents in the area to check their gardens for discarded petrol containers.
Jade Philpott, aged 10, and brothers John Philpott, 9, Jack Philpott, 7, Jessie Philpott, 6, and Jayden Philpott, 5, all died in the fire that broke out in the early hours of last Friday morning (11 May).
Their brother Duwayne Philpott, aged 13, died on Sunday night in Birmingham Children’s Hospital.
Smoke from the fire travelled upstairs to where the children were sleeping and post mortem results showed all six youngsters died as a result of smoke inhalation.
Assistant chief constable Steve Cotterill said: ‘We can now confirm that the seat of the fire was beneath the letterbox in the front door of the house. Investigations have shown that petrol was used to start the fire.
‘I would ask people to continue helping us with our investigation by checking the area they live for signs of discarded containers which may have contained petrol. Please check your gardens or any hedges in your street and call us if you find anything you believe could have stored petrol.’
He added: ‘I am also appealing for forecourt staff to come forward if they can recall selling petrol in a container to anyone in the days leading up to the fire.’
Members of the community had been reluctant to come forward to give information about the fire until the assistant chief constable made a plea for people to help.
‘I would like to thank members of the community who have come forward with information to date,’ he said.
‘Since my last appeal, more people have come forward and I’m grateful to everyone who has contacted us.’
The children’s father Mick Philpott was the subject of media attention five years ago when he asked the council for a larger property for his family. Derby Council have so far declined to comment on the issue of overcrowding.
The property is owned by Derby Council and managed by arm’s-length management organisation Derby Homes. In a statement the council said: ‘It would be improper for Derby City Council to comment further whilst an investigation is ongoing; priority must be given to the investigation.’
A 28-year-old woman and 38-year-old man, both from Derby, were arrested by officers investigating the deaths last week but were released without charge.
