NSW Police has confirmed a domestic-related homicide investigation is underway after three children were killed in a house fire in Western Sydney.
The three children were aged between 10 months and six years old. The children’s mother, and four other young children who were also in the home, were taken to hospital and remain stable.
A 28-year-old male has been arrested over the incident and is currently under guard in an induced coma. Police said: “It does appear that the 28-year-old man is responsible for multiple deaths of young lives”.
Background
At 1am on Sunday, NSW Police and emergency services responded to reports of a house fire in Lalor Park, near Blacktown.
Upon arrival, they found two adults and seven children inside the property.
Police allege the 28-year-old male obstructed their attempts to enter the property and reach the victims.
According to Homicide Squad Detective Superintendent Danny Doherty, the man allegedly kept “police and other responders and neighbours out of the property while it was on fire, with the intention of keeping the kids inside the premises while the fire was happening”.
The investigation remains ongoing.
“This is horrifying and senseless. These children deserved love and protection and a caring home. Our love and thoughts are with the surviving family members… Our thoughts are also with the emergency service workers… who will also be recovering in their own way after a horrible night.”
NSW Premier Chris Minns in a statement
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