Four people, a couple and two of their children, have died after a fire at their home in Waterford, Ireland, which police suspect was started with a petrol bomb. The two remaining children of the family are in a critical condition in hospital.
The victims have been named locally as Philip English, his wife Kim, and their children Callum and Jayden, both aged under 10. The couple's two other young children were rescued by emergency teams and are being treated at Children's Health Ireland Hospital in Crumlin, south Dublin.
Murder investigation underway
Police have launched a murder investigation into the deaths. Local media report that investigators "have a good understanding of the background behind the attack." According to the Irish Examiner, the individual suspected of directing intimidation towards the family "is a well-known drug dealer in the city."
Firefighters were called to the blaze at a house on the Birchwood estate shortly after 5am on Tuesday. "Firefighting operations commenced immediately, and a number of casualties were removed from the two-storey house," a statement said.
Previous attack on family car
It has emerged that a vehicle belonging to the couple was targeted in an attack three years ago. They had spoken to local radio station WLR after their car was paint-bombed in the front garden of their home, saying it would impact their ability to bring one of their children to hospital appointments, the Irish Independent reports.
Chief Superintendent Anthony Pettit, Divisional head for the An Garda Síochána Waterford/Kilkenny/Carlow division, said the house was attacked by a person "unknown" and that Gardaí believed "the fire was started deliberately."
Searches and raids
Gardaí conducted a number of searches in Waterford on Tuesday night. Investigators are examining information that Mr English may have taken on an alleged drug debt on behalf of someone close to him, which may be linked to the attack. "This person does not live at the English home in Birchwood. Gardaí will attempt to talk to him," the Examiner said.
Two homes were raided by detectives last night, with the occupants reportedly connected to the drug trade and "drug-related interaction." There have been no arrests.
The fire follows a series of incidents that reportedly left the family living in fear for their lives. A resident who knows the English family said local representatives had been liaising with the family in a bid to try and get them rehoused. A local councillor told the paper that there had been "threats of violence" against the family.
