Multiple people, including children, are feared dead after a suspected petrol bomb attack on a home in Waterford, Ireland, early this morning. Emergency services responded to the blaze at a property on the Birchwood estate, with police suspecting the home was deliberately targeted.
Fire crews called to 'well-developed' blaze
Fire crews were called to the fire in Waterford at 5:13am. A spokesperson for Waterford City Council said: "Waterford Fire Service was alerted to a house fire at Birch Avenue, Kilcohan, Waterford at 5:13am this morning. A number of units from surrounding stations attended and on arrival found a well-developed fire."
Firefighting operations commenced immediately, and a number of casualties were removed from the two-storey house. The fire was extinguished, and the scene was handed over to An Garda Síochána. A number of casualties are believed to have died of their injuries as a result of what's believed to be a Molotov cocktail fire bombing.
Support hub established
Waterford City and County Council has commissioned the Butler Community Centre in St. John's Park in Waterford city as a support hub. Refreshments and facilities are available for those affected by the fire in the Birchwood area.
Taoiseach Micheál Martin described the fire as a "deeply disturbing situation." He 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."
Details of the incident were still unfolding, and this is a breaking news story that is being constantly updated.
