Gardaí have launched a murder investigation after an arson attack on a house in Waterford City claimed the lives of two adults and two children.
The deaths of the man and woman and two of their children were confirmed on Tuesday morning. Two other children were critically injured in the blaze.
Emergency services were called to the house in the Birchwood area shortly after 5am on Tuesday.
Taoiseach Micheál Martin has described it as a ‘deeply disturbing situation’ (Mícheál Ó Scannáil/PA)
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A gardaí spokesperson said: “An Garda Síochána have commenced a murder investigation into the arson attack and fatal house fire that occurred in the Birchwood area of Waterford City shortly after 5am this morning, Tuesday, 13th October 2026.
“An Garda Síochána have confirmed that two adults (one male and one female) and two of their children are deceased.
“Two other children have been removed from the scene and are receiving hospital treatment for critical injuries.
“An incident room has been set up at Waterford Garda Station and a senior investigating officer has been appointed. Family Liaison Officers have also been appointed.
“An Garda Siochána are appealing to any person with any information on this multiple murder and arson attack to contact the Garda investigation team.”
Taoiseach Micheál Martin paid tribute to those who died, describing the fire as “deeply disturbing”.
John Cummins called for gardaí to be given time and space to carry out their investigations (Mícheál Ó Scannáil/PA)
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He said his thoughts and prayers are with those who died.
“We thank the first responders who are at the scene,” Mr Martin added.
“We say to everyone to give space to the first responders, to the gardaí to deal with what clearly is a very worrying and deeply disturbing situation.”
Minister of State John Cummins, who is from Waterford, said: “Waterford has been plunged into utter devastation and sadness this morning with the tragic loss of lives overnight in Birchwood.
“My deepest sympathies go to the loved ones of those who have lost their lives, their friends, neighbours and the wider community.
“I would also like to pay tribute to the emergency services personnel who have been attending what can only be described as a horrific scene.”
Emergency services at the scene of an overnight fire in the Birchwood estate in Waterford City (Mícheál Ó Scannáil/PA)
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Bishop Alphonsus Cullinane of Waterford and Lismore expressed his “profound shock and sorrow”.
“Our hearts go out to the families who suffered such unimaginable loss,” he said.
“We stand in solidarity with all those whose lives have been devastated by this tragedy.”
Father Gerard Chestnutt, who is parish priest at Sacred Heart Church at The Folly in Waterford, said it was a “day of immense sadness”.
“People are devastated, in particular here in the Birchwood estate, because the family are well known,” he told reporters at the scene of the fire.
“The community is well established, it’s a very tight knit community. As you can see, there’s many people out on the street here, and they’re all absolutely heartbroken.
“But it goes beyond here as well. The wider community is absolutely devastated. Our school communities, the primary schools are absolutely heartbroken, both the staff and students.
“And I would know the family very well. It’s a day of immense sadness for this entire community.”
He added: “There’s no words even that people can find to try to grasp or try to understand what’s happened.”
A neighbour who rang the emergency services when the fire broke out spoke of her sadness.
“It’s just devastating – a whole family nearly wiped out,” the woman, who did not want to be named, told the Press Association.
“At quarter past five this morning I rang the fire brigade.
“I could hear it all unfolding behind me. The dog actually woke me up barking.
“I’m just so upset. I think the council are offering some kind of counselling down in the community centre there. I might go down.”
Sinn Féin TD for Waterford David Cullinane speaking at the scene of an overnight fire in the Birchwood estate in Waterford City (Mícheál Ó Scannáil/PA)
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The woman said she knew the family who lived in the house well, describing them as “nice” people.
She said the community would now have to rally together, adding: “We just have to stick together now and just look after each other.”
In a statement, Waterford Fire Service said it was alerted to a house fire at Birchwood Avenue at 5.13am on Tuesday.
It said: “A number of units from surrounding stations attended and on arrival found a well-developed fire.
“Firefighting operations commenced immediately, and a number of casualties were removed from the two-storey house.
“The fire was extinguished and the scene handed over to An Garda Síochána.
“Waterford City and County Council has commissioned the Butler Community Centre in St John’s Park in Waterford city (X91 FEP4) as a Support Hub.
“Professional supports, refreshments, and facilities are available for those who have been affected by the fire in the Birchwood area.”
Sinn Féin TD for Waterford David Cullinane said: “This is very raw for everybody involved. My heart is broken.
“I can only imagine what this will be for family members, for the wider family who live right across the road, for the city and county, and for people who live in the housing estate to be dealing with this level of grief and trauma.
“It’s just unimaginable, and all we can do at this point in time is to stand in solidarity with the community to support the wider family and this community as much as we can. And we’re seeing that happen already.
“My message for this community is that we will be here for you.
“That we understand that this is an unimaginable tragedy, and people may well need to be supported and I’m very clear that that will be put in place.”