Four people, including two children, died following an arson attack on a home in the Birchwood estate in Waterford City early Tuesday morning. Two other children remain in critical condition. Gardaí have launched a murder investigation, appealing for witnesses to come forward regarding the incident, which occurred shortly after 5am.
Fatal Arson Attack in Birchwood
Emergency services were alerted to a well-developed fire
at a residence in Birchwood Avenue at 5:13am on Tuesday, 13 October 2026. Waterford Fire Service crews from surrounding stations arrived to find the property ablaze; they extinguished the fire and recovered several casualties from the two-storey house before handing the site over to An Garda Síochána.
The victims have been named locally as Philip English, who was in his 50s, and Kim English, who was in her 30s. They were killed alongside two of their children. Two additional children were rescued from the scene and are currently receiving treatment for critical injuries at Children’s Health Ireland (CHI) in Crumlin. Following the discovery, gardaí upgraded the case to a murder investigation, confirming that the fire was started deliberately
by a person or persons unknown.
Garda Technical Bureau Examines Birch Avenue Crime Scene
The house at Birch Avenue has been designated a crime scene, with the Garda Technical Bureau conducting a detailed forensic examination. Chief Superintendent Anthony Pettit confirmed that the investigation is being coordinated from an incident room at Waterford Garda Station. A senior investigating officer has been appointed to lead the inquiry, which is supported by the Garda National Bureau of Criminal Investigation (GNBCI). Family Liaison Officers have also been appointed to the bereaved family. The Waterford Coroner’s office and that of the State Pathologist have been notified, and post-mortems are being carried out at University Hospital Waterford by Prof. Linda Mulligan, Chief State Pathologist, and Dr. SallyAnne Collis, State Pathologist.
Gardaí are pursuing multiple lines of inquiry, noting that the family home had been targeted on at least two previous occasions, including a petrol bomb attack a few weeks prior in which no one was injured, and an incident three years ago when the family car was attacked in the driveway and covered in paint. Authorities are urgently seeking information from anyone who was in the vicinity of Birch Avenue between 4:30am and 5:30am on Tuesday, specifically requesting dashcam footage or images from motorists in the area at that time.
Local Leaders Express Grief over Community Tragedy
Sinn Féin TD David Cullinane expressed his grief, stating that the news is devastating, while noting that the family was well-known and liked in the area. Sinn Féin Councillor John Hearne also paid tribute, noting that people are shocked. Father Gerard Chestnutt, parish priest at Sacred Heart Church at The Folly, described it as a day of immense sadness for the tight-knit community and local primary schools. Bishop Alphonsus Cullinane of Waterford and Lismore expressed his profound shock and sorrow over the tragedy.
“My thoughts, and the thoughts of all members of An Garda Síochána and the community are with the extended family at this time.”
Chief Superintendent Anthony Pettit, Waterford/Kilkenny Garda Division
John James English, an adult son of Philip English from a previous relationship, paid tribute to his family on social media, calling the act cruel and devastating while noting that the children had their whole lives ahead of them. A public vigil is scheduled for Wednesday, 14 October, at 5:00pm at Sacred Heart Church in The Folly, where the community is invited to gather in prayer for the family.
Official Condolences and Calls for Justice
National leaders have condemned the attack, with Taoiseach Micheál Martin describing the situation as deeply disturbing
. Minister of State John Cummins also expressed condolences, calling for the community to rally together and for gardaí to be given time and space to carry out their investigations.
The investigation remains active, and anyone with information is encouraged to contact the incident room at Waterford Garda Station at 051 305300, the Garda Confidential Line at 1800 666 111, or any local garda station.