Mum and dad arrested after 4 of their children died in a house fire

A mum and dad have been arrested after 4 of their 5 children died in a house fire in Highfields, Stafford on Tuesday, February 5th

Natalie Unitt, 24, and Chris Moulton, 28, were arrested on suspicion  of manslaughter by gross negligence after a house fire killed Riley Holt, 8, Keegan Unitt, 6, Olly Unitt, 3, and Tilly Rose Unitt, 4. 

A fifth child, named locally as two-year-old Jack, was taken to hospital after escaping from a first-floor window with his mother Ms Unitt and her partner Mr Moulton.

Mr Moulton is understood to have received treatment for burns and Ms Unitt received treatment for smoke inhalation, as they recovered from non-life-threatening injuries.

A Staffordshire Police statement said yesterday:

Officers from Staffordshire Police have made two arrests this afternoon following a house fire in Stafford on Tuesday.

Following an update from investigators into the probable cause of the fire we have arrested a 24-year-old woman and a 28-year-old man on suspicion of manslaughter by gross negligence.

The arrests were made at around 1.30pm. The man and woman are in custody.

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.

We will provide further updates as soon as we are able to.