Manhunt under way after suspected petrol bomb attack on family home in Cork

Mother and teenage son escaped blaze while older son broke ankle jumping from first-floor window in early-morning attack

Gardaí are investigating the circumstances surrounding of an overnight house fire at Siver Birch off the Rochestown Road at about 12.30am on Monday.

A manhunt is under way for people suspected of petrol bombing a family home in Cork.

A mother and her two sons, one of whom is just 13, fled the housefire caused by a suspected arson attack on the family home in the Silver Birch estate in Rochestown on the city’s southside in the early hours of Monday morning.

The older son, aged 24, jumped from the first-floor window to escape the fire. 

He remained in hospital on Tuesday recovering from his injuries.

The young man suffered a broken ankle and leg injuries in the fall from the first floor window, it is understood.

The family cannot immediately return to their home, which has been badly damaged by both fire and smoke.

They remain in "complete shock" following the trauma of that night, sources say.

Gardaí have conducted house-to-house inquiries and they continue to harvest CCTV footage from the area.

Superintendent Gary McPolin said it was lucky that everyone escaped the fire that night.

“Fortunately, no one was killed, but look at Edenderry,” Supt McPolin said.

Four-year-old Tadgh Farrell and his great-aunt Mary Holt, 60, were both killed in an arson attack in a home in Edenderry in December.

"We are lucky that we did not have a very tragic situation [in Rochestown]. But a young man has been injured and we will endeavor to bring the perpetrators to justice."

Gardaí continue to appeal for witnesses to the “extremely heinous crime”, he said.

The fire started outside the house at the front door. It appears an accelerant was used.

A forensic analysis of the door will be conducted to confirm what substances started the fire.

It is suspected something like a petrol bomb was used, but this has not been confirmed.

The fire spread into the downstairs hallway, sitting room, and kitchen at about 12.35am.

Three units of the Cork fire service responded to the fire.

The mother, who is in her 40s, and the younger son, aged 13, managed to escape the house quickly, but the older son became trapped upstairs before he jumped out the window.

All three were treated for smoke inhalation and were taken by ambulance to Cork University Hospital.

Gardaí described the incident as "criminal damage by fire" and are working to establish a motive for the suspected attack.

Anyone who noticed a vehicle or people acting suspiciously in the Rochestown area between midnight and 12.36am to contact Togher Garda Station, their local Garda station or to call the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111.

Gardaí are also appealing for dashcam and CCTV footage from the area on Sunday night and Monday morning.