Fiona Adams, 24, was found not guilty by a jury at Nottingham Crown Court of murdering daughter Niamh, five, and two-year-old son Cayden in the blaze in Buxton, Derbyshire.

She escaped from the house with youngest child Kiernan by jumping from an upstairs window just before midnight on April 23 last year.

Fiona Adams and her brother Jason outside court after she was found not guilty of all charges against her

As the jury delivered its verdict, clearing her of murder, arson and grievous bodily harm, Adams sobbed loudly and held her hands up to her face.

The childrens’ father James Maynard, sitting in the public gallery, also wept as she was cleared of all charges.

Members of her family shouted ‘yes’ as Adams, dressed in black trousers, a black top and black cardigan with her brunette hair tied back, was cleared.

Outside court today, Miss Adams said she was happy with the verdict.