Investigation continues into house fire which killed four children in Stafford
The investigation into the cause of the house fire which led to the deaths of four children in Stafford is ongoing, police said today.
A Staffordshire Police inspector has thanked the community for the support during the investigation which began on February 5 after Olly Unitt, three, Tilly Unitt, four, Keegan Unit, six, and Riley Holt, eight, died in the fire in Highfields.
Detective Inspector Alan Lyford, of Staffordshire Police, said: “The community has been extremely supportive in Highfields and it is understandable there is a continuing demand for answers.
“We owe it to the four children who tragically lost their lives to establish the circumstances of exactly what happened.
Patience
“We understand this process is not progressing as quickly as might be expected or wished, but we will conclude and update on this thorough and complex investigation as soon as we are able to.
“We want to thank the community for their patience and support while we continue to investigate.”
Two adults, the mother Natalie Unitt and partner Chris Moulton, survived after jumping out of a first-floor window with a fifth child, two-year-old Jack.
The cause of the blaze is not yet known, but rumours of a cannabis fire and a boiler defect were ruled out by police days after the blaze.
A 25-year-old woman and a 29-year-old man arrested on suspicion of manslaughter by gross negligence following the fire have been released under investigation while inquiries continue.
