Parents turn off life support machine of fire victim, 13

Thirteen-year-old Duwayne Philpott has been in a critical condition in a hospital in Birmingham since Friday morning, when the blaze broke out.

Last night Duwayne remained on a life support system with his parents by his hospital bedside.

His sister Jade Philpott, ten, and brothers John, nine, Jack, seven, Jessie, six, and five-year-old Jayden died in the blaze at the family home in Victory Road, Allenton, Derby,

Assistant Chief Constable Steve Cotterill, of Derbyshire police, said: “Duwayne suffered serious injuries in the fire; tragically he is unlikely to survive. Mr and Mrs Philpott remain at their son’s bedside, and my thoughts are with them at this distressing time.”

The children were asleep in their beds upstairs in the house when the fire broke out at the semi-detached home.

The children’s father, Mick Philpott, made a “valiant” attempt to save them, according to police.

Said to be the father of 17 children, Mr Philpott hit the headlines in 2007 after demanding a larger house to share with his wife Mairead, girlfriend, Lisa, and eight offspring.

A 28-year-old woman and a man aged 38, both from Derby, were arrested by officers investigating the deaths but were yesterday released without charge.

ACC Cotterill added: “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.”

Duwayne had been on a life support system in Birmingham Children’s Hospital since the fire. Prayers were said for the children at a special service in the town on Saturday and a candlelit vigil was held.

Father Alan Burbidge said the 45-minute service was attended by pupils of St George’s Catholic Primary School, in Littleover, where all five children went to school, as well as local people.

Neighbours on the estate where the family lived said they had set up an online charity called Catch Me When I Fall to help the family with funeral costs.

Fr Burbidge said local undertakers had offered to donate their services free of charge when the time comes for the children’s funerals, and a large part of the local community had expressed a wish to donate money to help the family.

A steadily-growing shrine of flowers, cuddly toys and cards has been placed outside the house around the police cordon.

Meanwhile, last night ACC Cotterill said police were not getting enough information from the public.

He said: “I strongly suspect that there is someone out there in the community who knows more than we are being told. My plea is to remember that we are trying to find what caused the death of these young children.”