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.
The man and woman have been named locally as Philip and Kim English.
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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Irish President Catherine Connolly expressed her “deepest condolences” to the family and friends of the victims.
“This was an appalling attack and all of our thoughts are with the two children currently in critical condition in hospital for a full recovery and with the first responders who have been on the scene and treating them,” she said.
Chief Superintendent Anthony Pettit has made a public appeal for information.
He said: “An Garda Síochána has commenced a murder investigation into the arson attack and fatal house fire that occurred at a domestic residence in Birch Avenue, Birchwood, Waterford City, this morning.
“Emergency services, including Waterford Fire Service, the National Ambulance Service and gardaí responded to the fire shortly after 5am.
“Two adults (a male and a female) and two of their children died in the fire.”
Superintendent Pettit said that two other children have been admitted to Children’s Health Ireland (CHI) Crumlin where they are receiving treatment for critical injuries.
“My thoughts, and the thoughts of all members of An Garda Síochána and the community are with the extended family at this time,” he added.
The senior officer said the house in Birch Avenue has been declared a crime scene.
He added: “An Garda Síochána believe that the house was attacked by a person or persons unknown and that the fire was started deliberately.
“Gardaí in Waterford are appealing to any person who has information on this multiple murder and arson attack to speak with investigating members.
“In particular, gardaí wish to speak to anyone who was in the vicinity of Birch Avenue, Birchwood, between 4.30am and 5.30am this morning.
“Gardaí are also appealing to anyone who was driving in the vicinity of Birchwood, or the adjoining roads, between 4.30am and 5.30am this morning who may have dashcam footage or images to make such footage available.”
Ireland’s Justice Minister Jim O’Callaghan said the incident has had a “very significant impact” on people across the country.
He said: “I strongly condemn the harrowing attack in Waterford early this morning which has resulted in the loss of four lives including two children.
“I want to express my deepest condolences to the family and friends of the bereaved. My thoughts are also with the two young children in hospital.
“This shocking event has had a very significant impact not just on the people of Waterford but on the whole country. There is no place in a civilised society for such a heinous act of violence.
“I have spoken with the Garda Commissioner Justin Kelly, who has assured me that a murder investigation, supported by the National Bureau for Criminal Investigation, is under way.
“I am confident those responsible for this brutal and heinous act will be brought to justice to face the full rigour of the law.”
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.”
Four units of the fire brigade returned to the site just before 6pm on Tuesday evening as smoke was seen rising from the property.
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 Cullinan of Waterford and Lismore said the two children who died should be at school on this “beautiful day in the sunshine”.
“They should be running around the yard there now, and yet they’re dead, and two more then in hospital,” he told the Press Association.
“We pray for them – and amazing to see the community around here gathering and supporting and comforting each other.
“We just hope that we’ll gather tomorrow. We’ll pray together and see if we can make some sense out of all of this. And God rest all those who have died and all those who’ve been affected by this huge tragedy. Huge tragedy.”
He said the community will attempt to deal with the tragedy with “great difficulty”.
“Really, just trying to get by day by day, and I suppose support each other, be there for each other, comfort each other, and to pray together and try to see that God is in every situation, with time and with God’s help, they will be able to get through,” he continued.
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.”
Fianna Fáil TD for Waterford Mary Butler said it is “hard to find the worst to articulate the sheer sense of devastation” in the community and outlined that six psychologists have been allocated to local schools to help support children.