A man and a woman have been arrested on suspicion of manslaughter by gross negligence after four children died in a house fire.

Flames tore through the home in Stafford on Tuesday, claiming the lives of four children aged between three and eight.

The man, 28, and woman, 24, were arrested at about 1.30pm on Friday and are in custody, Staffordshire Police said.

The force said the arrests were made “following an update from investigators into the probable cause of the fire”.

In a statement, it added: “This incident has had a huge impact on the community and we understand there will be confusion and a demand for information.

“However, we would urge people not to speculate as to what may have happened and appeal for patience as the investigation continues.”

Stafford Fire: photos from the scene Show all 5 1 /5 Stafford Fire: photos from the scene Stafford Fire: photos from the scene The house suffered extensive fire damage PA Stafford Fire: photos from the scene Bird's eye view of emergency services on the scene SWNS Stafford Fire: photos from the scene Staffordshire fire fighters cover burned windows with a tarpaulin AFP/Getty Stafford Fire: photos from the scene Emergency services at the scene Anita Maric / SWNS Stafford Fire: photos from the scene Bird's eye view of emergency services on the scene SWNS

Keegan Unitt, six, Tilly Unitt, four, Olly Unitt, three, and their older brother Riley Holt, eight, were killed in the fire in Sycamore Lane.

A fifth child and two adults were taken to hospital after suffering non-life-threatening injuries, West Midlands Ambulance Service said on Tuesday.

On Tuesday neighbours described a “sheet of flame” issuing from an upstairs window.

The roof of the house partially collapsed.