This article is more than 8 years old

This article is more than 8 years old

A fire which swept through a family home in Derby on Friday has claimed its sixth victim.

Duwayne Philpott, 13, who was left critically ill after a fire killed five of his siblings, died early on Monday morning after his parents gave permission for his life support to be switched off, Derbyshire police have said.

Duwayne, who was being treated at Birmingham children's hospital, was not expected to survive his injuries from the fire at the family home in Allenton, Derby, that also killed Jade, 10, John, nine, Jack, seven, Jessie, six, and Jayden, five.

The fire, which is being treated as suspicious by Derbyshire police, ripped through the semi-detached home in the early hours of Friday morning as the family were asleep.

The children's father, Mick Philpott, made a "valiant" attempt to save them, police have said.

Steve Cotterill, assistant chief constable of Derbyshire constabulary, said the investigation was at an early stage, adding that his officers had not yet had a chance to talk to the Philpotts properly because of Duwayne's condition.

"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," he said.

"We would specifically like to speak to anyone who was in or around Victory Road between 3am and 4am on Friday morning."

A 28-year-old woman and 38-year-old man, both from Derby, who were arrested in connection with the fire were released without charge on Saturday.

Philpott, understood to be a father of 17 children, became the focus of media attention in 2007 after asking for a larger house to share with his wife Mairead, girlfriend Lisa, and eight of his children.

Philpott is reported to have requested the bigger property because his council house was too cramped to accommodate the family. He wanted the city council to rehouse them, but the authority said the family already had the biggest available council property in the city.

He also featured in a TV documentary by the former Conservative MP Ann Widdecombe.

Widdecombe, who spent a week living with the then 57-year-old Philpott for the programme, Ann Widdecombe Versus the Benefit Culture, said after the tragedy: "Nobody would ever call him a bad father. I'm so sorry to hear the news and my thoughts are with the family."

On Sunday, a special church service was held for the children at St George's Roman Catholic church in Derby.