Waterford house fire - latest: First picture of couple 'murdered' along with two children

Waterford house fire - latest: First picture of couple 'murdered' along with two children A man and a woman who died in a house fire in Waterford, Ireland, have been named as Philip English and his partner Kim A couple who died in a "deeply disturbing" house fire in Ireland along with two children have been named and pictured for the first time as police launched a murder inquiry. Philip English and his partner Kim were killed by the blaze as it tore through their home in the Birchwood estate area of Waterford shortly after 5am today (Tuesday). Two other children are in a critical condition in hospital. It's understood Gardai - Irish police - are also investigating another attempted arson attack on the family home in recent weeks. It's believed they were innocently targeted over a debt, the Irish Mirror reports. The family have been described as well liked and popular in the area. There is a huge Emergency services presence at the scene of the blaze. Waterford Fire Service said several fire crews went to the scene from surrounding stations. and that they found the blaze "well-developed" when they reached the home. Taoiseach Micheal Martin has described the tragic outcome of the fire as a "deeply disturbing situation". Key Events 'The house was attacked' - police Divisional head for the An Garda Síochána Waterford/Kilkenny/Carlow division, Chief Superintendent Anthony Pettit, has said the house where four people were killed in a fire was attacked by a person “unknown”. He told reporters at Waterford Garda station: “An Garda Síochána believe that the house was attacked by a person or persons unknown, and that the fire was started deliberately. “Gardaí Waterford are appealing to any person who has information on this multiple murder and arson attack to speak with investigating members. “In particular, Gardaí wishes to speak to anyone who was in the vicinity of Birch Avenue, Birchwood, between 4.30am and 5.30am this morning, Tuesday the 13 October, 2026. “Gardaí are also appealing to anyone who was driving in the vicinity of Birchwood or the adjoining roads between 4.30 and 5.30 a.m. this morning, and who may have dashcam footage or other images to make such footage available to investigating Gardaí.” Victims named as well-liked couple The two adult victims who died in the Waterford fire have been named locally as Philip English and partner Kim, the Irish Mirror reports. Two children have also been confirmed dead while two more are critically injured in hospital fighting for their lives. Gardai are reportedly carrying out door to door inquiries in the area now, and sources have told the Irish Mirror that foul play is suspected. The family have been described as well liked and popular in the area. 'I hope they face the full rigours of the law' - Councillor Councillor Jason Murphy said the perpetrators of the arson attack in Waterford would face the full rigours of the law. “We know that it was malicious, which I suppose makes it even worse,” he said. “I hope whoever those perpetrators are are caught fairly soon and will face the full rigours of the law and that justice will be done.” Everything we know - Police have launched a murder investigation after two children and two adults were killed and two other children hospitalised with critical injuries following a house fire in Waterford. - Firefighters were called to the "well developed" blaze at a house on the city's Birchwood estate shortly after 5am. "Firefighting operations commenced immediately, and a number of casualties were removed from the two-storey house," a statement said. - Police later confirmed a man, woman and two children had died, but said they could not yet give further details. Police in Ireland said two other children are in hospital with critical injuries. - A spokesperson said: "An Garda Síochána have commenced a murder investigation into the arson attack and fatal house fire that occurred in the Birchwood area of Waterford City shortly after 5am this morning, Tuesday." - Taoiseach Micheal Martin said it was a "deeply disturbing situation". He added: "Our thoughts and prayers are with anybody who has lost their lives and all who are affected." - A nearby support hub has been set up for residents affected by the horrific events with professional services available to those who need them. 'It’s just devastating – a whole family nearly wiped out' A neighbour who rang the emergency services when the fire broke out in Waterford has spoken of her sadness. “It’s just devastating – a whole family nearly wiped out,” the woman, who did not want to be named, said. “At quarter past five this morning I rang the fire brigade. I could hear it all unfolding behind me. The dog actually woke me up barking. “I’m just so upset. I think the council are offering some kind of counselling down in the community centre there. I might go down.” The woman said she knew the family who lived in the house well, describing them as “nice” people. She said the community would now have to rally together, adding: “We just have to stick together now and just look after each other.” A 'day of immense sadness' - parish priest Father Gerard Chestnutt, who is parish priest at Sacred Heart Church at The Folly in Waterford, said it was a “day of immense sadness”. “People are devastated, in particular here in the Birchwood estate, because the family are well known,” he told reporters at the scene of the fire. “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.” 'I’m just numb, like everyone else around here' - councillor Locals have been reacting to the tragic news. Councillor Jason Murphy, who lives close to the scene of the fire, said there was a sense of “devastation” in the community. “I’m just numb, like everyone else around here,” the Fianna Fáil councillor told reporters. “I think there’s an eerie quiet around here. This estate would usually be a busy estate. You’d probably see kids up here playing on the green here, but there’s nothing happening here this morning – only people looking into space trying to, I suppose, make sense of what happened here late last night and early this morning.” Mr Murphy said local people who witnessed the fire would require professional support and counselling. “The sounds and what they heard this morning and what they seen, it’ll take a lot of recovering, and they’ll need a lot of support,” he said. “It’s coming now from the community, and that’ll be ongoing. But they’ll need professional support as well. And I was glad to see that the Taoiseach came out this morning, Micheál Martin said the community will get whatever supports it needs.” Fire deaths now treated as murder - police Police in Ireland have launched a murder investigation into the fatal house fire in Waterford. A spokesperson said: "An Garda Síochána have commenced a murder investigation into the arson attack and fatal house fire that occurred in the Birchwood area of Waterford City shortly after 5am this morning, Tuesday, 13th October 2026. "An Garda Síochána have confirmed that two adults (one male and one female) and two of their 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 set up at Waterford Garda Station and a senior investigating officer has been appointed. Family liaison officers have also been appointed. "An Garda Siochána are appealing to any person with any information on this multiple murder and arson attack to contact the Garda investigation team. "An Garda Síochána is also appealing to any person in the vicinity of Birch Avenue, Birchwood, Waterford City in the early hours of Tuesday, 13th October to contact Waterford Garda Station on 051 305300, the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111 or any garda station." Support hub details Details have been confirmed for a support hub for residents. Butler Community Centre in St John's Park in Waterford City has been commissioned by Waterford City and County Council as a support hub. Professional services, refreshments, and facilities are available for those who have been affected by the fire. Neighbour who rang fire brigade says 'family nearly wiped out' A neighbour who rang the emergency services when the fire broke out in Waterford has spoken of her sadness. The woman, who did not wish to be named, said: "It’s just devastating – a whole family nearly wiped out. "At quarter past five this morning I rang the fire brigade. "I could hear it all unfolding behind me. The dog actually woke me up barking. "I’m just so upset. I think the council are offering some kind of counselling down in the community centre there. I might go down." The woman said she knew the family who lived in the house well, describing them as "nice" people. She said the community would now have to rally together, adding: "We just have to stick together now and just look after each other." Mayor says 'we shouldn't speculate' Mayor of the Waterford Metropolitan District, Councillor Lola O'Sullivan, has urged people not to speculate about how the fire in County Waterford started. She said: "We shouldn't speculate. It upsets me no end to see people commenting on social media about something that they don't have firm facts on. "I would ask people not to be commenting on something that they don't have factual information on." 'Unimaginable tragedy' Sinn Féin TD (Teachta Dála, a member of Dáil Éireann, the lower house of the Irish parliament) 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." Video: Scene of fire as emergency services still in attendance Appeal for information Anyone holding any information regarding the fatal fire in Waterford is asked to contact the police. Two children, a woman and a man have been confirmed dead as two other kids are in hospital with critical injuries, the police confirmed. A statement from the force reads: "An Garda Siochána 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, 13th October to contact Waterford Garda Station on 051 305300, the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111, or any garda station. "As this is an ongoing evolving incident An Garda Síochána is not in a position to provide any further detail at present." Full police statement as four people, including two children, confirmed dead A gardaí 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, Tuesday, 13th October 2026. "Gardaí and emergency services remain at the scene. "An Garda Síochána can confirm two adults (one male and one female) 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 set up at Waterford Garda Station and a senior investigating officer has been appointed. Family liaison officers have also been appointed. "An Garda Siochána 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, 13th October to contact Waterford Garda Station on 051 305300, the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111, or any garda station. "As this is an ongoing evolving incident An Garda Síochána is not in a position to provide any further detail at present." Man, woman and two children dead, two more children critical, following fire A man, woman and two children have sadly died following the fire. Two other children have been removed from the scene and are receiving hospital treatment for critical injuries. In pictures: Emergency services at the scene of a fatal fire in Waterford City 'Difficult days and weeks ahead' Minister of State John Cummins also called for Gardaí to be given time and space to carry out their investigations. He said: "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." 'Utter devastation and sadness' after 'tragic loss of lives' 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." Foul play suspected in fire Gardaí suspect foul play, the Irish Mirror reports. Sources have said the main line of inquiry is that the house was targeted in an arson attack. 'Deeply disturbing situation' - Taoiseach Taoiseach Micheál Martin has described it as a "deeply disturbing situation". Mr Martin said details of the incident are still unfolding. Speaking ahead of a cabinet meeting in Dublin, the Irish leader 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." Garda say officers are attending an 'evolving incident' A Garda spokesperson said: "An Garda Síochána and other emergency services are currently at the scene of a fire at a domestic residence in Waterford City. "As this is an ongoing evolving incident An Garda Síochána is not in a position to provide any further detail." 'A number of casualties were removed from the house' - fire service Waterford Fire Service said several fire crews went to the scene from surrounding stations. and found the "well-developed fire" at the house. "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," a spokesperson for the fire service explained.