A child has reportedly been ‘wrestled’ from the arms of a father accused of setting fire to his home, killing three of his children and seriously injuring four others and his partner.
The 28-year-old allegedly barricaded his partner, 29, and their seven children in their housing commission home in Lalor Park, in The storm struck western Sydney at around 1am on Sunday, setting the city alight.
Emergency services rushed to the home and removed six of the children and both adults. The charred remains of a five-month-old girl were later found.
Two boys, aged six and two, died shortly after being taken to hospital, while their four siblings, aged four to 11, are now in stable condition.
The father, who cannot be identified for legal reasons, woke up in hospital on Thursday and made his first appearance in Parramatta District Court on a series of charges.
In court, he was banned from contacting the survivors.
He was refused bail and is expected to appear in Penrith District Court on September 6 charged with three counts of murder, five counts of attempted murder and destroying/damaging property with intent to endanger life.
A 28-year-old man has been denied bail after allegedly setting fire to his home with accelerant, killing his three children on Sunday
Homicide squad commander Detective Chief Inspector Danny Doherty told media on Thursday that the father had been woken from an induced coma and had been charged by police.
Mr Doherty said he ‘understands that three of his children died as a result of the house fire and that he has been charged with these offences’.
“I can’t say much about it because the case is now in court, but he has spoken and communicated,” he said.
The suspect had difficulty speaking after inhaling smoke but has “recovered reasonably well”, Mr Doherty said.
Police allege the father was “solely responsible for setting fire” to the home and used accelerants throughout the house, creating an “explosive situation.”
He is also said to have locked the bedroom doors shortly after setting fire to the room, trapping the people in the room.
“We allege that there was some sort of domestic dispute or disagreement that led to this incident and this horrific act of murder,” Doherty said, adding that police were “still investigating all of this.”
Shortly after being released from the hospital, the heartbroken mother returned to her torn home and told police and investigators about the incident.
“(She was) clearly devastated and sad, but she was supported during the tour,” Doherty said.
His partner, 29, has been discharged from hospital and four of his children remain in a stable condition as he appeared in court from his sickbed
Police allege he locked the doors to his children’s bedrooms after setting fires in the rooms and struggled with rescue workers as they tried to get his family out of the house (pictured)
The suspect had difficulty speaking after inhaling smoke, but has ‘recovered reasonably well’.
Mr Doherty said police will also allege the father attempted to obstruct emergency services and compassionate neighbours who tried to save his children.
“They (allegedly) had to wrestle with this man and free the (11-year-old) boy from his grip because he was holding him down,” Mr Doherty said.
‘The boy was rescued and then the man, who put up a strong resistance, was also arrested.’
The local community has supported the poor family with financial support, housing and support services.
“Out of these tragic circumstances we see good people emerging and getting as much help as I can,” Mr Doherty said.
Police have interviewed a number of witnesses who came forward after the incident, while the investigation into the fire is still ongoing.
Anyone with information is asked to contact the police.