Derby House Fire: Funerals For Six Philpott Children Killed In Blaze (PICTURES)

Funerals For Six Philpott Children Killed In Derby House Fire (PICTURES)

Mourners turned out on Friday to say farewell to six children who died in a house fire.

The bodies of the children arrived for a funeral service on six horse-drawn carriages.

The hearse carrying the body of Jade Philpott, 10, led the cortege with a horse with pink feathers.

The funeral cortege of the Philpott children on the way to St Mary's RC Church on Bridgegate, Derby

Five more hearses, each with blue feathers, followed, carrying the bodies of her brothers John, nine, Jack, eight, Jessie, six, Jayden, five, and Duwayne, 13, to St Mary's Catholic Church in Derby town centre.

Five of the six children died in the blaze at the semi-detached house on Victory Road in Allenton, Derby, in the early hours of 11 May. Duwayne died two days later in Birmingham Children's Hospital.

Their father Mick Philpott, 55, and mother Mairead, 31, have been charged with murdering all six children in the blaze.

They were not believed to be at today's service.

Rosette flowers and yellow roses were handed out to family and friends going into the church.

The flowers had six petals, one for each of the children - blue for the boys and pink for Jade - and each petal had the child's initial on.

The coffins of Jesse, Jayden and Jade arrive at the church

The full requiem mass began with the priests greeting the coffins outside as the church bells rang out across Derby.

Jade's coffin had a pink princess on the front while the boys' coffins each had emblems, including toy soldiers on nine-year-old John's and the Derby County emblem on Duwayne's.

Each coffin bore the child's name.

Family members and friends threw flowers at the coffins as they were carried into the church.

Well-wishers wept outside as the coffins, which had flowers on top, were taken inside.

The service began with a hymn and prayers were said for the children.

In the order of mass, Duwayne, pictured wearing his school uniform, was described as being charming and caring. Despite being camera shy, the Derby County fan was also described as a ladies' man who always had endless queues of girls fancying him.

The funeral cortege of Jade, 10, John, nine, Jack, eight, Jessie, six, Jayden, five, and Duwayne, 13 arrive at St Mary's RC Church

The 13-year-old, the eldest of the six children, was said to have taken on the role of "protector" of his younger siblings and enjoyed going to Derby County football games with his father Mick and his younger brothers.

It said: "Duwayne loved to spend his time with the family pet Crackle (African Grey parrot) who was always shouting after him and his mum Mairead.

Jade was described as a beautiful princess who had become a mother hen to her younger brothers.

"She would always carry them around on her hip," the order of service said.

It described her as a creative girl who liked to play on the Nintendo Wii.

"She had a permanent smile on her face and was always content."

She always tried to get involved in rough and tumble with her brothers but was never allowed.

The 10-year-old was said to be well regarded at school, very intelligent and she would boost class morale.

John was described as a "cheeky chappy" who was always lively and ready to pick a fight with all the boys.

"He was determined to be the last man standing. He was named Supergrass as he would always worm his way out of getting out of trouble and blame somebody else," the tribute in the order of service said.

"No matter how much he was in trouble he would always crack a smile and find it a joke."

The six young Philpott children that perished in the house fire

He was also a Derby County supporter and his daredevil personality saw him compete with Duwayne in jumping off climbing frames on to the family trampoline.

He wanted to pursue a career as a soldier in the Army.

Jack was described as "a real pretty boy" with bright blue eyes, who loved to spend most of his time on his Nintendo DS and watching Peppa Pig, images of which were pictured on his coffin.

The order of service said he was "cute, cuddly and content with everything".

The tribute to Jack said he was like Duwayne because he was shy and bashful and that he was the quietest sibling.

"He was always the first one in the fights to run off crying to his mummy but some cuddles and kisses and he would be back to his gaming."

Comments have been turned off due to legal restrictions. Full details here

Close

What's Hot