Mick Philpott To Speak To Media After Six Children Die In House Fire

Father Of Six Children Who Died In House Fire To Speak Publicly

The father of six siblings who lost their lives in a suspected arson attack on their home is expected to speak about the tragedy on Wednesday.

Mick Philpott is due to address the media in Derby this morning, just five days after Jade Philpott, 10, and brothers John, nine, Jack, seven, Jessie, six, and Jayden, five, all perished in the blaze.

Detectives have said forensic inquiries into the fire in Allenton, Derby, indicate that it was started deliberately.

The six children were asleep in their beds upstairs when the fire broke out at the semi-detached house in the early hours of the morning.

Philpott, aged 54, made a "valiant" attempt to save them, police said.

A 28-year-old woman and 38-year-old man, both from Derby, were arrested by officers investigating the deaths but were released without charge on Saturday.

In a statement released last night, Derbyshire Police said officers were supporting Mr and Mrs Philpott following the deaths of their six children and were in the process of speaking to them to understand the events of last Friday.

Derbyshire's Assistant Chief Constable, Steve Cotterill, said: "It's important that we talk to Mr and Mrs Philpott about what happened.

"They have been through a traumatic incident we are giving them as much help as we can."

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