Philpott House To Be Demolished

The house where Mick Philpott killed his six children by torching the property as they slept will be demolished, councillors have promised.

The charred shell of 18 Victory Road, in Derby, has been standing boarded-up and empty since the fire which claimed the lives of Jade Philpott, 10, and her brothers John, nine, Jack, eight, Jesse, six, Jayden, five, and Duwayne, 13.

The charred remains of 18 Victory Road in Derby

Last week, Philpott was jailed for life for the manslaughter of his children and ordered to serve a minimum of 15 years before he is considered for release.

His wife, Mairead, and their friend, Paul Mosley, were each jailed for 17 years.

Now Derby City Council leader Paul Bayliss has confirmed the council's intention is to knock down the property and the adjoining semi.

The plan will be to consult the local community on what should replace the buildings.

An online petition has already been launched urging the local authority to install a memorial garden.

Council leader Paul Bayliss told the Derby Telegraph: "Who would want to live in a house where six children have died and why would you want to live next door to a house where six children have died?

"It is the council's intention to bulldoze the properties but we need to go through a number of legal loopholes first."

In order to flatten the two houses, the local authority will have to take legal possession of number 18 from the Philpott's, who are still the official tenants.

It also needs to buy the house next door from the estate of an elderly couple who lived there but have since died.

It is understood the family has agreed in principle to sell.

The house, which was focus of tributes to the six children again last week, has stood as a sombre reminder of the terrible events of the early hours of May 11 last year.

The jury at Nottingham Crown Court found that Philpott, 56, his 32-year-old wife, and Mosley, 46, started the fire in a bid to frame Lisa Willis, Philpott's former girlfriend.

Miss Willis and her children used to live with the Philpotts but had moved out weeks earlier.

SEE ALSO:

• Mick And Mairead Philpott Guilty Of Manslaughter
• Mick And Mairead Philpott Facing Jail Over House Fire
• Philpotts' Families Agree Justice Has Been Served
• Philpotts Condemned for Actions By Police Officer

• Philpott Children Could Not Have Survived Smoke
• Philpotts Condemned for Actions By Leading Police Officer