Two arrested by police investigating house fire that claimed lives of four children
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Two arrested by police investigating house fire that claimed lives of four children

POLICE investigating a house fire in which four children died have arrested two people.

The woman, 24, and man, 28, were arrested at 1.30pm on Friday following an update from investigators into the probable cause of the fire.

They were detained on suspicion of manslaughter by gross negligence and continue to be questioned by Staffordshire Police today.

Riley Holt, aged eight, Keegan Unitt, aged six, Tilly Rose Unitt, aged four, and three-year-old Olly Unitt died in the blaze at Sycamore Lane in Highfields, Stafford.

A man, woman and two-year-old child managed to escape the blaze, which broke out in the early hours of Tuesday.

The man was treated for burns and the woman for smoke inhalation, although their injuries were not life-threatening.

Following yesterday’s arrests, Staffordshire Police have urged people not to speculate as to what may have happened.

“We are grateful for the community’s ongoing support and patience as the investigation continues,” they said in a statement.