Lalor Park house fire: Heartbroken community rallies together to mourn three kids killed in horror blaze

Devastated community members have expressed their support for the family of three young children believed to have been murdered by their father in a horrific house fire.

More than 200 people gathered to pay their respects at Chifley Park in Lalor Park in Sydney’s west on Thursday night at a solemn vigil in the same street where two boys, aged six and two, and a five-month-old baby tragically lost their lives.

Politicians, care workers and mental health staff from NSW Health attended the meeting.

The children’s grieving mother, who was also injured in the fire, returned to the street for the second time in two days to attend the service, flanked by loved ones. Four surviving children remain in stable conditions in hospital.

Parents with their young children stood quietly in the tree-lined park, reflecting on the shocking tragedy.

Couples held each other as the community tried to cope with Sunday’s horrific events.

The Australian flag in the park was flying at half-mast and some emotional participants at the vigil hugged each other.

Police officers stood together with the community to express their solidarity.

New South Wales Deputy Premier Prue Car spoke at the vigil, affirming that the state is united in support.

“Just saying we express our condolences and our love to the family doesn’t seem enough to me,” she said.

‘Saying that every child has the right to the love of a safe family, a safe home, doesn’t feel like enough either.

‘This whole country, the community of New South Wales, we wrap our arms around you and those who have helped us.

“We offer our love and support in the most difficult times.”

Blacktown Mayor Brad Bunting also addressed the somber crowd.

“We are gathered here tonight so that we can heal together,” he said

‘We do this best as a community, we do this best together.

‘We can only get through this darkness together as one. It’s important to know that there is always someone who will listen to us.

‘There is light at the end of the darkness.’

Keith Boulden, pastor of Blacktown East Presbyterian Church, spoke of the pain the community is going through and the continued support it needs.

“The family is essential to the functioning of a healthy society,” he said.

“Members of the family go to a local school… that part of our community will feel that sadness and that pain.”

“This incident has had a very unique and profound impact on our staff involved,” said Mr. Bolden.

“Events like this impact us both personally and professionally. It’s an opportunity to come together with the community and share that experience with them.”

Thursday’s vigil comes after a 28-year-old man has been charged with murder and attempted murder after allegedly using accelerant to set fire to his home before preventing his family from escaping.

Detective Superintendent Daniel Doherty on Thursday described the alleged incident as “one of the worst cases of child murder” in NSW in recent history.

“We allege that the doors were locked and that the occupants, the residents, were unable to escape the fire,” said Chief Inspector Doherty.

According to Mr Doherty, police suspect the man used an accelerant to start multiple fires in his home early on Sunday morning.

Two boys, aged 2 and 6, died despite being rushed to Westmead Hospital. A five-month-old girl was pronounced dead at the scene.

Their mother, 28, and four other children aged 4, 7, 9 and 11 were able to escape the fire after a heroic neighbour ‘courageously’ entered the home.

According to Mr Doherty, the neighbour was able to rescue the two boys before going back inside.

“He then went back inside and rescued the nine-year-old girl, along with the mother, and also tried to rescue the 11-year-old girl… We allege that this was prevented by the 28-year-old man,” he said.

Police allege the neighbor called 911 and officers who arrived on scene entered the burning home and began wrestling with the man.

“They also had to force entry, wrestle with the man and free the boy from his grasp, reportedly holding him down, after which the boy was rescued,” Detective Chief Inspector Doherty said.

‘The man was then also arrested after some resistance.’

It is alleged that the man attempted to kill his family after a domestic dispute or disagreement.

Following a brief hearing in Parramatta District Court on Thursday morning, police filed a Rape Prevention Agency (AVO) application on behalf of the woman and surviving children.

The man remains under police guard at Westmead Hospital.