Derby House Fire 'Started With Petrol'

A house fire in which 6 children died was started deliberately, using petrol, police have confirmed.

Speaking at a media conference police have said the blaze was believed to have originated below the home's letterbox.

Jade Philpott, 10, and brothers John, nine, Jack, seven, Jessie, six, and Jayden, five, all died in the fire. Duwayne, 13, died later in hospital.

The children's father, Mick Philpott, said the family had been "overwhelmed" with support from the local community.

He said Duwayne's organs had been donated to save the life of another child and made an appeal for privacy.

"Please leave my family alone. If you've got any questions or anything at all please don't come through me and my family, please go to the police," he said.

"You're disrupting what these officers are trying to do. So please, I beg you, leave us alone and let us try and grieve in peace and quiet."

Mr Philpott paid tribute to the efforts of the emergency services in trying to rescue his children and thanked people for their messages of support.

Derbyshire Constabulary said the investigation into the fire, on Victory Road in Allenton on Friday, was progressing well.

Assistant Chief Constable Steve Cotterill said: "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.

"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."

(H)