adminher late twenties has been arrested on suspicion of murder in connection with this case,” he added, although he stressed that detectives were keeping an open mind about the cause of the fire.
Cotterill said a sixth child, aged 13, and two adults were being treated in hospital, after emergency services were called to the semi-detached house early Friday.
The children’s father was named in media reports as Mick Philpott, a father of 17 who made headlines in 2007 after demanding that local authorities give him a larger house to share with his wife, girlfriend and eight of their children.
The father had made a “valiant attempt” to rescue the children, who had been sleeping on the first floor, Cotterill said.
Sean Frayne of Derbyshire Fire and Rescue Service told the press conference that 30 firefighters had battled to put out the fire and rescue the children.
“The crews worked extremely hard in very difficult circumstances,” he said.
“Personnel at the scene then continued to work very, very hard to save the lives of the five fatalities.” — AFP.
Online Reporter
- Herald
- July 31, 2026
- 53 views
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