Girl, 9, rescued by neighbour following suspected petrol bomb attack in Cork

The burglaries occurred in the city within the last number of days. Stock image

A child was rescued from her burning home after it was targeted in a suspected petrol bomb attack in Cork.

A neighbour rushed to help the family who were trapped upstairs by the fire in the Clarkes Road area of Ballyphehane, Cork City, on Monday morning at approximately 6.35am.

The neighbour managed to help a man in his 20s and a nine-year-old girl escape, it is understood.

Cork Fire Brigade arrived quickly at the scene and put out the fire.

Two men, aged in their 20s and 50s, and a girl, were conveyed to Cork University Hospital for treatment of injuries, gardaí confirmed.

All three were treated for smoke inhalation but did not suffer serious burns, it is understood.

The fire started at the front door of the house. The house sustained significant fire damage downstairs, with smoke damage through the rest of the house.

Gardaí confirmed that the incident was suspicious and described it as “criminal damage by fire”. A technical examination of the scene has been conducted.

It is the second arson attack on a family home in Cork City in seven days.

A 13-year-old boy and his mother, who is in her 40s, escaped a fire at their home at Silverbirch in Rochestown on February 16.

The child's brother, a 24-year-old man, jumped from an upstairs window of the home to escape the fire, injuring his legs and breaking his ankle in the fall.

Gardaí are appealing for witnesses following the suspected arson attack in Ballyphehane.

Anyone who was in the Clarkes Road area between 6am and 7am on Monday, February 23, 2026, and who may have any information is asked to contact investigating gardaí. Anyone with camera footage (including dash-cam) is asked to make that footage available.

Gardaí can be contacted at Bridewell (Cork) Garda Station on 021 4943330, the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111, or any Garda station.

Investigations are ongoing.