Boy, 13, is sixth child victim of house fire

Duwayne Philpott, aged 13, died on Sunday night in Birmingham Children’s Hospital with his parents at his bedside.

His sister Jade, 10, and brothers John, nine, Jack, seven, Jessie, six, and five-year-old Jayden all perished in the blaze at the house in Allenton, Derby, early in Friday.

A spokesman from Birmingham Children’s Hospital said: “Despite the intensive care team’s greatest efforts, the injuries that Duwayne received in the fire were too great for him to survive.”

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

The children’s father, Mick Philpott, 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 on Sunday without charge. Police said they were still treating the fire as suspicious.

Assistant Chief Constable Steve Cotterill said: “This investigation is still at an early stage and it should be stressed that we have not yet had the opportunity to speak to Mr and Mrs Philpott properly because they’ve been caring for their son in Birmingham.

“I want to thank the local community who have already come forward but I would urge anyone with any information, regardless of how insignificant you think it may be, to contact us.

“We would specifically like to speak to anyone who was in or around Victory Road between 3am and 4am on Friday morning.”

Said to be the father of 17 children, Mr Philpott hit the headlines after demanding a larger house to share with his wife Mairead, girlfriend Lisa, and eight offspring.

He was dubbed “Shameless Mick” in 2007 for his benefit claims and refusal to get a job in a TV documentary by former Conservative MP Ann Widdecombe. Mr Philpott is reported to have demanded the bigger property because his council house was too cramped.