Woman arrested after five children die in house fire

FIVE children died in a house fire today despite “valiant attempts” by their father to rescue them.

Ten-year-old Jade Philpott was asleep upstairs along with John, nine, Jack, seven, Jessie, six, and five-year-old Jayden at their home in Allenton, Derby, when the fire broke out.

Their 13-year-old brother, Duwayne, remains in a critical condition in hospital in Birmingham.

The children’s father has been named locally as Mick Philpott, who was dubbed “Shameless Mick” in 2007 for his benefit claims and refusal to get a job in a documentary by former Conservative MP Ann Widdecombe.

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

They are believed to be at Duwayne’s bedside in hospital.

A 28-year-old woman arrested on suspicion of murder remains in police custody and will be questioned later, Derbyshire Police said.