Derby Philpott family fire deaths prompt coroner appeal

Flowers and cards have been left outside the house

A coroner has appealed for the person responsible for the deaths of six children in a fire to come forward.

Dr Robert Hunter opened the inquest a week after the arson attack at the house in Allenton, Derby.

Jade Philpott, 10, and brothers John, nine, Jack, eight, Jessie, six, and Jayden, five, died on the night and Duwayne, 13, died three days later.

Derby Coroner's Court heard Dr Hunter say "human decency" should persuade people to talk to detectives.

He also appealed to the wider community to "search their conscience" and contact the police if they had any information.

The court heard the children's father, Mick Philpott, 54, had identified the bodies of five of the children on Monday, after spending the weekend at Duwayne's bedside.

The six were asleep in their beds upstairs when the fire broke out at the semi-detached house in Victory Road in the early hours of last Friday.

Police have confirmed petrol was used to start the blaze.

A 28-year-old woman and 38-year-old man, both from Derby, were arrested but released without charge on Saturday.

The inquest was adjourned.