Waterford house fire: Two adults and two children dead as two other children critically injured
Two adults and two children have died and two other children are critically injured in hospital following a fire in Waterford city, Gardaí have confirmed.
The deaths of the man, woman and two children were confirmed on Tuesday morning.
Emergency services were called to the house in the Birchwood area of Waterford city shortly after 5am on Tuesday.
A Garda spokesperson said: “An Garda Síochána are investigating all the circumstances of a fatal house fire that occurred in the Birchwood area of Waterford City shortly after 5am this morning.
“Gardaí and emergency services remain at the scene.
“An Garda Síochána can confirm two adults, one man and one woman, and two children are deceased.
“Two other children have been removed from the scene and are receiving hospital treatment for critical injuries."
An incident room has been established at Waterford Garda Station, and a senior investigating officer has been appointed. Family Liaison Officers have also been appointed.
Neighbour describes hearing screams A woman living near the house described waking to the sound of her dog barking before hearing screams and shouting outside.
The woman told the Irish Examiner that she looked out her window and saw thick black smoke pouring from the rear of the house.
"I will never forget what I saw and what I heard for as long as I live," she said.
"I woke from the dog barking and I could hear noises, people screaming and shouting. Then I looked out my window and I could see thick black smoke pouring out of the back of the house.
"The sound of the screaming was horrific and I could hear someone shouting, 'Throw the kids down, throw them down.'"
Taoiseach Micheál Martin described the incident as a “deeply disturbing situation” and said details were still unfolding.
Speaking ahead of a Cabinet meeting in Dublin, he said: “Our thoughts and prayers are with anybody who has lost their lives and all who are affected.
“We thank the first responders who are at the scene.
“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 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.” Mr Cummins called for Gardaí to be given time and space to carry out their investigations.
He added: “I know that in the difficult days and weeks ahead, the community will rally around those affected, offering strength, compassion and support in whatever way we can.
“At times of unimaginable sadness, it is the kindness and solidarity of a close-knit community that can provide some comfort to those who need it most.
“This is a devastating loss and as a county we stand together in grief and solidarity at this difficult time.”
The Bishop of Waterford, Alphonsus Cullinan, said the city and wider community had been left shocked by the tragedy.
"The loss of life of members of this family is just heart-wrenching," he said.
He added that local clergy and residents would seek to support those affected in the days ahead.
Bishop Cullinan said the nature of the incident made it especially difficult for the community to process.
"It's not an illness, it's not something natural, it's something totally unnatural to lose several lives in this way," he said.
He expressed confidence that local residents would show "empathy and sympathy" and rally around the affected family.
The mayor of Waterford Metropolitan District, Councillor Lola O’Sullivan, said the city was devastated to wake up to news of the fire.
“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.
“This estate, to put it into context, is at the edge, it's within the ring road of Waterford. There are two primary schools within walking distance of this estate.
“It's quite an established estate, a quiet area of Waterford. It's just shocking," she said.
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.
“It’s just unimaginable, and all we can do at this point in time is to stand in solidarity with the community to support the wider family and this community as much as we can.
“And we’re seeing that happen already.
“My message for this community is that we will be here for you.
“That we understand that this is an unimaginable tragedy, and people may well need to be supported and I’m very clear that that will be put in place.”
Gardaí are appealing for information from anyone who may have been in the vicinity of Birch Avenue, Birchwood, Waterford city, in the early hours of Tuesday, October 13.
Anyone with information is asked to contact Waterford Garda Station on 051 305300, the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111, or any Garda station.
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