Tragic blaze: Parents held
Pair arrested after fire that killed four of their children
A MOTHER and father were arrested yesterday after a house fire in which four of their five children died.
Natalie Unitt, 24, and her 28-yearold partner Chris Moulton were held on suspicion of gross negligence manslaughter.
The couple were held as they recovered in hospital following the blaze at their home in Stafford on Tuesday. Their children, Keegan, six, Tilly Rose, four, and three-year-old Olly died after the fire in the early hours.
Riley, Miss Unitt’s eight-year-old son from a previous relationship, was also killed.
The couple escaped from a first-floor window with their youngest child, Jack, aged two. They were arrested yesterday in hospital in Stoke on Trent, where they were being treated for burns and smoke inhalation. The pair, who are unemployed, remained in custody last night.
The devastating fire caused huge damage to the roof and first floor of the three-bedroom rented home.
Neighbours told how they were woken by loud bangs and looked out of their windows to see the property ablaze, prompting speculation a boiler had exploded.
A gas-fired heating system was installed at the housing association property in 2014, according to a building control notice on Stafford Borough Council’s website.
The cause of the fire is not yet known. Staffordshire Police said investigations were ongoing. Residents in the area have been left devastated by the children’s deaths, Burnt-out: Family’s home and more than £28,000 has been raised for the family.
Hundreds attended a candle-lit vigil at the scene on Thursday evening. They lay teddies and flowers and prayers were said. The youngsters’ teachers have described them as ‘bright, happy, lovely and lively’ children.
Miss Unitt described herself on Facebook as a ‘ proud mummy’. Friends said her children were ‘her world’ and said she had been left broken by their deaths.
Gross negligence manslaughter is defined in law as a death that occurs as a result of a negligent act or omission. Staffordshire police urged the public not to speculate on the causes of the blaze.
The force said in a statement yesterday: ‘Following an update from investigators into the probable cause of the fire we have arrested a 24-year-old woman and a 28year-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.’
Bystanders heard how Miss Unitt desperately screamed for her children after jumping from a bedroom window to escape the fire. A neighbour, who asked not to be named, said: ‘As the fire raged, I saw Natalie and Chris wrapped in blankets outside. She was screaming: “My babies! My babies!”’ Another claimed the fire had been caused by a faulty boiler. The family had been unable to pay to get it repaired or replaced so continued to use it, they said. The neighbour added: ‘ It had been condemned by the gas company and I don’t think they should have used it, but they did with terrible consequences. They’re young parents with five young kids and I think they were struggling financially.’ Meanwhile, a family member, who did not want to be named, defended the couple. The woman said: ‘ They’re grieving for the kids they’ve lost, they’re just out of hospital and now banged up… We don’t understand why.’