Derby House Fire

Police have taken away a caravan and minibus from outside the house in Derby where six children died in a fire that was started deliberately.

A police spokesperson said it was 'standard procedure' and the vehicles would be forensically examined.

Six of Mick and Mairead Philpott's children died in the fire in Victory Road, Allenton and neighbours have raised nearly £4000 for the family through the D-Js Trust, with more fund-raising events planned this weekend.

A Facebook advert posted by Derbyshire police to appeal for information into a fire in which six children died has appeared two million times.

It's the latest move in the investigation into the fire in Victory Road, Allenton in the early hours of Friday, May 11.

The advert has appeared two million times on Facebook - viewed by 105,000 people and 2,400 people have clicked through to the Derbyshire Police website.

Five children - Jade Philpott, aged10, John Philpott, 9, Jack Philpott, 7, Jessie Philpott, 6, and Jayden Philpott, 5, died in the fire.

Their brother Duwayne Philpott, aged 13, died last Sunday in hospital.

The seat of the fire was below the letterbox in the hallway of the house and petrol was used as the accelerant.

All six youngsters died from smoke inhalation.

A Facebook appeal launched by Derbyshire Police asking for information into the fire which led to the death of six children has been viewed two million times.

Five children Jade Philpott and brothers John Philpott, Jack Philpott, Jessie Philpott and Jayden Philpott died in the fire.

Their brother Duwayne Philpott, died two days later in Birmingham Children’s Hospital.

Nottinghamshire's Chief Fire Officer has joined the campaign for sprinklers to be fitted in new homes after the deaths of the six Philpott children in a a fire in Derby.

Frank Swann warns that an ageing population will lead to more people dying in house fires in coming years.

He says, "If we wait for 25 years for evidence to say we should have introduced the widespread fitting of sprinklers - at current rates a further 8,000 people will have died in that time and 185,000 will have been seriously injured."

People are being encouraged to pledge their support for the campaign by signing an online e-petition - if the petition receives the backing of 100,000 people it could be debated in Parliament.

Children in Derby have been remembering their classmates who died in a fire exactly a week ago.

A special room has been set aside to pray for the Philpott family at St Georges Catholic Primary School.

The inquest into their deaths was opened and adjourned today

The inquest into the deaths of six children who died in a house fire in Derby a week ago have been opened and adjourned this morning, while the coroner awaits further toxicology results.

The coroner, Dr Robert Hunter, said he and his staff send their condolences to the family and friends.

Dr Hunter said it had shocked Derby and the whole nation and he was concerned that someone had deliberately started a fire to harm six innocent children.

He called on the person responsible to come forward out of human decency and assist the police with their inquiries.

He also asked the community to search their conscience and share information with the police in confidence.

Mick Phillpott and his wife speak to the media, following the house fire on Saturday that killed six of their children.

Mick Philpott thanked his three older children who are helping him and his wife cope with their loss. He also thanked the firemen, policemen and ambulance team who all tried to help save his children's lives.