Derby Fire Deaths: Funerals Of Six Children - Sky News

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1:20am UK, Saturday June 23, 2012

Lisa Dowd, Midlands correspondent

The funerals of six children who died in a house fire have taken place.

The coffins of the Philpott chidren – Duwayne, 13, Jade, 10, John, nine, Jack, seven, Jessie, six, and five-year-old Jayden - were brought to St Mary's Roman Catholic Church in Derby on six horse-drawn hearses.

Their parents, Mick Philpott, 55, and his wife Mairead, 31, are charged with murder and have been remanded in custody. They did not attend the funerals.

The eldest of Mr Philpott's 17 children have been at the forefront of planning the service after local people raised more than £13,000 to pay for the funerals.

The youngest children perished in the fire at their house on Victory Road, Allenton, in the early hours of May 11 after suffering smoke inhalation. Duwayne died two days later at Birmingham Children's Hospital.

The funerals started at around 11am, after the cortege has passed through Allenton.

The funeral cortege of the Philpott children on the way to St Mary's church

Father Alan Burbidge, who has known the family since baptising Duwayne 12 years ago, conducted the full requiem mass.

Two police officers stood guard outside the church during the service.

As well as bible readings, prayers and hymns, school staff paid tribute to the youngsters.

Andrew Clare, a school chaplain said: "People have come together, shared their thoughts and memories, they've written prayers, poems, letters.

"It's really been, from a very sad position, a very positive few weeks - although there's still a lot of tears, a lot of sadness and a lot of upset as well."

Members of the public gathered outside to pay their respects as the coffins were brought out of the church following the 90-minute service.

Some threw yellow roses onto them, following a family request to wear bright colours at the service.

Jade's coffin had a pink princess on the front while the boys' coffins each had emblems, including toy soldiers on nine-year-old John's and the Derby County emblem on Duwayne's. Each coffin bore the child's name.

Family and friends sobbed and hugged each other as they followed the coffins
out. Many were accompanied by small children, who were also crying.

The children are to be buried at Chaddesden's Nottingham Road Cemetery

Rose petals were thrown at the coffins as they were placed back in the horse-drawn carriages for the two-mile journey to their final resting place in Chaddesden.

A death notice placed in the Derby Telegraph by family members paid tribute to the youngsters.

It said: "They all touched the hearts of so many.

"Wonderful brothers and a beautiful special sister of David, Richard, Michaela, Mikey, Aiden, Jordon, Shareen, Katrina, Kirk, Yawrey and Josh.

"Much loved and precious grandchildren of Peggy and the late John Philpott and Jimmy and Vera Duffy.

"Sadly missed by uncles, aunts and families. They will be so greatly missed by us all. Please wear bright-coloured clothes only."

On Wednesday, a 45-year-old man was arrested in connection with the deaths. He was released on police bail after questioning by detectives.

Shortly after the fire, police arrested a 38-year-old man and a 28-year-old woman who were released without charge the following day.