Main Points
- Two adults and two children have died following a fire at a house in the Birchwood estate, just south of Waterford city.
- The inquiry into the fire has been upgraded to a murder investigation.
- The two adults who died have been named locally as Kim and Philip English. They are a well-known family in the area.
- Waterford Metropolitan District Mayor Cllr Lola O’Sullivan said the city was devastated to wake up to the news of the tragic fire.
Deaths in petrol bomb attack linked to local drugs gang, gardaí believe
The murders of Philip and Kim English and two of their sons Callum (12) and Jayden (8) in a petrol bombing attack on their home is linked to recent violence they were subjected to by a local drugs gang, gardaí believe.
Two other children were rescued from the burning house but were in critical condition in the children’s hospital in Crumlin, Dublin on Tuesday. They were described locally as “a lovely family”.
The English family was hoping to leave the property as part of a council transfer as they felt unsafe, Conor Lally reports.
Gardaí carry out searches in Waterford
Gardaí have a number of clear suspects after launching a murder investigation earlier on, Conor Lally reports.
They have carried out a number of searches in the Waterford area on Tuesday night.
Waterford community is plunged into mourning
Just moments from the estate, a community centre has been providing a safe space for locals to access supports, Darragh Murphy reports.
Organisations and businesses have been providing groceries to the centre all day, while community groups and professional services have been on hand to help grieving neighbours in any way they can.
Amy Maguire, manager of Butler Community Centre, said the centre has been transformed into a hub for those impacted by the incident.
“If all we can do is offer a place where people can escape this chaos and grieve together, then that’s what we’ll do,” she said.
Maguire said there has been a steady stream of locals coming through the doors of the community centre throughout the day.
Others, she said, choose to remain in the estate.
“We have had quite a few members of the community in here today, but support is also being brought to the estate itself, and my car boot is open this evening and filled with tea, coffee and sandwiches for people who decide to stay here.
“It’s about the community today, and if people can’t come to the centre then we’ll bring it to them.”
Maguire said the Birchwood Estate is tightknit, and that residents are in deep shock.
“Everybody knows everybody here and the sense of community is very strong.
“It’s devastating, it’s just a surreal situation. Everybody here will grieve, and we all have to grieve together.”
Minister for Mental Health Mary Butler attended the community centre this evening to speak with locals affected by the incident.
She said there is a sense of “stillness, shock, trauma and disbelief”.
“It’s the worst thing we’ve ever had to deal with in Waterford. It’s unbelievable,” she said.
The minister confirmed that six psychologists have been made available to local schools in the area.
Brothers Callum (12) and Jayden (8) named as boys killed in fire
The son of Philip English has paid tribute to his brothers Callum (12) and Jayden (8) as “kids who enjoyed fun” and liked their friends”.
Meanwhile, Johnville Football Club said that club members were absolutely devastated by the news.
“Kim and Philip were familiar and friendly faces around our club, always there supporting Callum at his matches. It is incredibly difficult to comprehend that a family we knew so well has been taken from us in such tragic circumstances.”
Separately, an online fundraiser was set up to help arrange funerals for the four victims. It had raised over €7,000 by Tuesday evening.
“There are no words to describe the heartbreak of losing four precious lives in such devastating circumstances,” it said.
“As our family tries to come to terms with this heartbreaking loss, we are faced with the task of arranging four funerals and giving Phillip, Kim, Callum and Jayden the loving farewells they deserve.”
‘Day of immense sadness,’ says local priest
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.”
Prayer vigil announced for family
A prayer vigil for the family will take place at Sacred Heart Church, The Folly, Co Waterford at 5pm on Wednesday.
A statement from the Diocese of Waterford and Lismore said: “We invite the people of Waterford to come together in prayer for those who have lost their lives, their grieving families and loved ones, and all those affected by this terrible tragedy.”
‘Cruel act of evil,’ says victim’s son
Philip English’s adult son has said he is “lost for words” and “devastated” following their deaths, Emma McMenamy reports.
English’s son from a previous relationship, John James English, said one of his brothers rang him on Tuesday morning to tell him about the news of the deaths of his family members.
“I’m devastated, it’s heartbreaking and cruel,” said the 33-year-old in messages after being contacted through social media.
“No one deserves what those little kids, my brothers and sister and Dad and his wife had happen.
“They had their whole lives ahead of them. It’s just crazy carry on; it’s out of this world knowing that innocent children got this cruel act of evil.”
He added: “I loved them and I’m lost for words and in a state of shock. I’m just heartbroken and don’t know what to do or say because nothing will bring them back.
“I hope the people who are responsible feel the full force of the law. Devastation is an understatement.”
President Connolly shocked by ‘appalling attack’
President Catherine Connolly has expressed her shock at the “appalling attack”.
In a statement, the President said: “As President of Ireland, may I join with all of those who have expressed such shock following the horrific killing of a couple and two of their children this morning in Waterford and express my deepest condolences to the family and friends of those who have lost their lives.
“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.
“I know that An Garda Síochána have already commenced a murder investigation and I urge anyone with any information to bring it to their attention.”
‘It’s just devastating,’ says neighbour
A neighbour who rang the emergency services when the fire broke out has spoken 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.”
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.”
Tribute to ‘much loved’ family
Sacred Heart Family Resource Centre, where Kim and Philip English’s children attended, has paid tribute to the “much loved” family.
In a statement, Sacred Heart said it was “shocked and deeply saddened to hear of the tragedy that occurred this morning in the Birchwood Estate.
“Kim, Phillip, and their children were well known and much loved within our community. Their children attended our childcare service, Tiptoes Community Childcare Centre over the years, and the family was known to many of our staff, children, and families.
“Our thoughts and heartfelt sympathies are with all those affected by this devastating loss.”
‘Thoughts and prayers of Dáil’ with family, Taoiseach
The “thoughts and prayers of everybody in this Dáil and across Government are with the family, with the community, the wider community in Waterford, and also with the first responders,” Taoiseach Micheál Martin has told the Dáil, Sarah Burns reports.
Sinn Féin leader Mary Lou McDonald said: “This community needs every support possible. We stand with them at this desperate, desperate time. We think of those lives that have been lost.”
Family faced previous vandalism attacks
The family targeted by the arson in Waterford had suffered two other vandalism attacks in recent years.
There were also threats made against members of the family in recent weeks on social media.
The most recent incident was the attempted firebombing of a black Seat car owned by the family about three weeks ago.
Gardaí investigated the arson attempt, which happened at about 2.20am on Friday, September 18th.
Philip English, who was killed in Tuesday’s fire, had spoken to WLR in 2023, seeking public assistance in finding the perpetrators of a vandalism effort against the same vehicle.
He said gloss paint was thrown on the vehicle shortly before 3am one night in August 2023.
Gardaí searching for ‘person or persons unknown’
More than one person could be responsible for the arson attack in Waterford, as gardaí are searching for “person or persons unknown”.
Anthony Pettit, Garda Chief Supt for Waterford and Kilkenny, said gardaí believe the house was “attacked by a person or persons unknown and that the fire was started deliberately”.
The force is “appealing to any person who has information on this multiple murder and arson attack to speak with investigating members”, Pettit said in a statement.
Two injured children receiving treatment at Crumlin hospital for ‘critical injuries’
Gardaí confirmed that two of those killed in the arson attack in Waterford were the children of the two adults who died.
Anthony Pettit, Garda Chief Supt for Waterford and Kilkenny, said that two adults “and two of their children died in the fire”.
“Two more of their children are currently admitted to Children’s Health Ireland (CHI) Crumlin where they are receiving treatment for critical injuries,” he said.
Pettit said his thoughts are with the family and community.
Arsonists will face ‘full rigour of the law’, says Justice Minister
Minister for Justice Jim O’Callaghan has condemned the arson attack in Waterford, noting it “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,” he said, noting the attack has had a “very significant impact” on the whole country.
“There is no place in a civilised society for such a heinous act of violence.”
The Minister said he had spoken to Garda Commissioner Justin Kelly about the attack.
“I am confident those responsible for this brutal and heinous act will be brought to justice to face the full rigour of the law.”
Accelerant used to set fire to house, gardaí suspect
Gardaí believe some accelerant was used to set the front door alight but could not confirm pending a full technical examination whether a petrol bomb was thrown at the door, Barry Roche reports from Waterford.
Neighbours made ‘heroic efforts’ to save victims of fire - Bishop
Residents of the Birchwood area made “heroic efforts” to try to get into the burning house to save victims of fire, the Bishop of Waterford has said.
Alphonsus “Phonsie” Cullinan, the Bishop of Waterford and Lismore, said the four children affected by the fire, two of whom have died and two remain in critical condition, “should have been going to school today”.
He said there would be a gathering in the local church to pray for those who have died in the fire and for “the healing of the two kids who are in really condition in hospital”.
Cullinan said he had not come across a tragedy like this fire in the 11 years he has served in Waterford and that gardaí considering the investigation as a murder inquiry “adds to the tragedy”.
Start of murder investigation adds to shock in Waterford
The start of the murder investigation into the fire has added to the “shock and trauma” that the community near the fire are feeling, a Waterford TD has said.
“We are dealing with what was a tragedy and a loss of life, and for it to now be confirmed as a murder investigation is adding to the shock and trauma that residents are facing,” Sinn Féin TD David Cullinane said to The Irish Times.
“It is something we would never have thought we would see on our doorsteps here in Waterford. People are holding each other and people are comforting each other as the day as gone on.”
The deaths of four of the six residents of the house, including Kim and Philip English, have sent a “shock wave” through the community, he said.
Gardaí are “doing everything to preserve the scene”, Cullinane said, noting that the community will support the investigation.
Adults killed in house fire named locally
The two adults who died in the house fire in Co Waterford on Tuesday morning have been named locally as Kim and Philip English. They are a well-known family in the area.
‘Eerie quiet’ in Waterford estate
Waterford councillor Jason Murphy, who lives close to the scene of the fire, said there was a sense of “devastation” in the community.
“I’m just numb, like everyone else around here,” the Fianna Fáil councillor told the Press Association.
“I think there’s an eerie quiet around here. This estate would usually be a busy estate. You’d probably see kids up here playing on the green here, but there’s nothing happening here this morning – only people looking into space trying to, I suppose, make sense of what happened here late last night and early this morning.”
Murphy said local people who witnessed the fire would require professional support and counselling.
“The sounds and what they heard this morning and what they seen, it’ll take a lot of recovering, and they’ll need a lot of support,” he said.
“It’s coming now from the community, and that’ll be ongoing. But they’ll need professional support as well. And I was glad to see that the Taoiseach came out this morning, Micheál Martin said the community will get whatever supports it needs.”
Breaking: Murder investigation begins into Waterford fire
The inquiry into the fire in the Birchwood area of Waterford city has been upgraded to a murder investigation, the Garda confirmed.
The incident is now being considered as an arson attack, which began shortly after 5am on Tuesday morning.
An investigation into the incident is being led out of Waterford Garda station.
‘Give gardaí time and space investigate’ - Waterford mayors
The two mayors of Waterford have appealed to the public to give gardaí at the scene of the house fire in the south of the city time and space to investigate.
“We are devastated and heartbroken by the tragedy that unfolded in Birch Avenue this morning,” the mayor of Waterford Liam Brazil and metropolitan mayor Lola O’Sullivan said in a joint statement.
“Our sympathies, thoughts and prayers are with the family and loved ones of those who lost their lives so tragically in the fatal house fire,” they said.
“We appeal to the public to give An Garda Síochána the time and space needed to fully investigate this incident.”
The mayors also extended their thoughts to emergency services workers attending the “disturbing scene”.
Photos of the scene by Irish Times photographer Dara Mac Dónaill
‘Community will come together, Mayor of Waterford says
Waterford Metropolitan District Mayor Cllr Lola O’Sullivan said the city was devastated to wake up to the news of the tragic fire in the Birchwood estate, Vivienne Clark reports.
“Our thoughts and prayers are with the family and the friends. This doesn’t just affect the family and their friends, it affects the neighbourhood, it affects the greater community of Waterford.”
O’Sullivan said the estate is in a “quiet area of Waterford”.
The situation was also “unspeakable” for the fire service, the gardaí and the national ambulance service, she added.
“I can only imagine the scenes this morning were absolutely horrific for every emergency service who came upon it. It’s awful, it’s life-changing.”
O’Sullivan called on the public to give gardaí space to investigate the incident, saying it upset her to see people commenting on social media when they did not have firm facts.
“I would ask people not to be commenting on something that they don’t have factual information on,” she told RTÉ Radio’s Today with David McCullagh show.
“The community will come together, they always do, and particularly John’s Park is a beautiful old part of the city, and is a wonderful older community, and everybody will rally around to help this family.”
Breaking: Four dead, including two children, Garda confirms
Four people have died in the fire, including two adults – one male and one female – and two children, the Garda has confirmed.
Two other children suffered “critical injuries” in the fire and are receiving hospital treatment.
It is understood the children were initially brought to University Hospital Waterford before being moved to a better-resourced hospital in Dublin.
Gardaí are “investigating all the circumstances” and are appealing to the public for video footage.
Local TD calls for stop to speculation over house fire
Sinn Féin TD for Waterford David Cullinane has called for the public to stop speculating about the cause of the fire, saying it is not helpful.
The family involved were well known and had deep roots in other parts of Waterford, he told Newstalk’s Claire Byrne show.
“So you can only imagine what the wider family members are having to go through, and also people who live in the estate. And I’ve seen people hug each other, people in tears and people just devastated beyond belief.“
Cullinane said he was unable to “put into words that grief that I’ve seen and the trauma” he had seen on Tuesday morning.
“It’s just something that you never wish to wake up to and to hear about. But unfortunately, we’re dealing with that trauma here.
“Communities are resilient, they always rally around, but I think it will take a long time for this to heal. And it’s very raw and very difficult. And given that I know the family, I’m just utterly, utterly heartbroken myself.”
‘We’re all shocked this morning’ – Cummins
Waterford city is feeling a “real shock” following the news of the fire, Minister of State John Cummins has said.
“This is really, really tragic situation that is still unfolding this morning,” the Fine Gael TD for Waterford, who lives in the south of the city, told WLR FM’s Déise Today with Damien Tiernan.
“I really want to pay tribute to the emergency services who have been attending what is a really tragic situation there in Birchwood.
“I think we’re all shocked this morning, all of us are thinking of the family, friends, neighbours and wider community. There’s no words that describe the grief that we are experiencing.
“We always rally together as a community in Waterford, we always roll up our sleeves and get behind families that have experienced tragic circumstances, and I know that this will be no different,” he said.
Criminal investigation starts into house fire
The house fire is now subject to a criminal investigation, The Irish Times understands.
While that inquiry was only beginning on Tuesday morning, the possibility the house was deliberately targeted in an arson attack is one line of investigation at present, Conor Lally reports.
Waterford Council set up support hub for those affected by fire
A support hub to provide refreshments and facilities to those affected by the fire has been set up by Waterford City and County Council.
The hub is at the Butler Community Centre in St John’s Park in Waterford city.
‘Devastation’ among neighbours as ‘children involved’
Sinn Féin’s health spokesman, David Cullinane, who is a TD for Waterford, said he was heartbroken at the news.
“It’s just utterly heartbreaking and there’s such devastation in the housing estate itself, as you can imagine, but also in the wider community in Waterford city.
“Obviously there is shock but people will know the family and there is absolute heartbreak when you have children involved as well so it’s obviously very emotional.”
Cullinane told RTÉ Radio’s Morning Ireland that he knew the family well and had met one of the family members recently.
He said the number of fatalities remained unknown, “but we do know it’s very high and obviously if anybody does survive we wish them our best wishes”.
Cullinane went on to pay tribute to the first responders. He said he had spoken to paramedics and firefighters and knew how traumatic it had been for them when they arrived at the scene.
He asked that An Garda Síochána and first responders be given space.
“My heart goes out to the family members and the relatives and all of the neighbours and friends of the family involved and I’m just utterly heartbroken and devastated.”
The community would rally around, he said. “All they can do is stand in solidarity at this point, there’s no words really, no, and I’m lost for words myself, I know many of the neighbours, it’s a very close-knit community and I know there is tears on that road as you can imagine and just people absolutely devastated and just still in shock.
“It just sends a shiver down your spine. It’s just so heartbreaking particularly when there’s children involved so I think that heartbreak will be felt right across the island when people hear what happened and hear of the fatalities,” said the Sinn Féin TD.
Taoiseach Micheál Martin said he was shocked at the news and asked that emergency services be given time and space “to deal with what clearly is a very worrying and deeply disturbing situation”.
Several feared dead, including children
A number of people are feared dead, including children, following a fire at a house in Waterford city.
Gardaí and other emergency services attended the scene in the Birchwood estate, about 3km south of the city centre, after the alarm was raised shortly after 5am.
The fire has now been extinguished.
A couple with several children lived in the home, and at least two people are believed to have died.
Waterford Fire Service received an emergency call about a house fire at Birch Avenue, Kilcohan, at 5.13am, a spokesperson said.
They said several fire units went to the scene from surrounding stations and found the “well-developed fire” at the house.
“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.”
A Garda spokesman said it was “an ongoing evolving incident” and no further details were available yet.
