Waterford arson attack kills two adults and two children as murder inquiry begins

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Four people including two children have died in a house fire in a suspected Molotov cocktail attack in Waterford.

Two other children were seriously injured in the fire at the property on Birchwood Estate, which started at around 5am on Tuesday.

Taoiseach Micheal Martin called it a ‘deeply disturbing situation’ with a petrol bomb suspected as the cause, Liberal.ie reports.

The Gardaí has launched a murder investigation, and confirmed the fire was started in an arson attack.

Mr Martin said: ‘Our thoughts and prayers are with anybody who has lost their lives and all who are affected.

Emergency Services at the scene of an overnight fire in the Birchwood estate (Picture: PA Wire)

Birchwood Estate in Waterford, Ireland (Picture: PA Wire)

‘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’

He said: ‘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.’

Father Gerard Chestnutt, parish priest at Sacred Heart Church at The Folly in Waterford, described today as a day of ‘immense sadness’.

Taoiseach Micheal Martin called it a ‘deeply disturbing situation’ with a petrol bomb suspected as the cause (Picture: PA Wire)

‘People are devastated, in particular here in the Birchwood estate, because the family are well known,’ he told reporters.

‘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.’