This story contains references to alleged domestic violence.
The father of three children including a 10-month-old baby who died in a house fire allegedly tried to prevent them from being rescued as flames raged around them.
Neighbours and emergency services rushed to the scene at 1am on Sunday, as the Lalor Park home in Sydney’s west was engulfed by fire.
But police say their attempts to rescue those inside were thwarted by the children’s 28-year-old father who tried blocking access to the home.
Two boys, aged three and six, were rescued from the burning home and taken to Westmead Hospital in a critical condition but died a short time later.
The body of the third child, believed to be a 10-month-old girl, was found after firefighters extinguished the blaze.
Forensic officers, Fire and Rescue Officers and police investigate the house in Lalor Park. Source: AAP / Mark Evans
Four other children — three boys aged four, seven and 11, and a 9-year-old girl — were rescued from the home and treated at the scene by paramedics.
The incident is being treated by police as a domestic-related multiple homicide.
Homicide squad detective superintendent Danny Doherty said that “at this stage, it does appear that the 28-year-old man is responsible for multiple deaths of young lives”.
“There were direct actions taken … that were intentional of keeping police, other first responders and neighbours out of the property while it was on fire,” he told reporters.
“We’re alleging that this man did certain actions to prevent the rescue of those young lives.”
Homicide squad detective superintendent Danny Doherty said police will allege the man “did certain actions to prevent the rescue of those young lives”. Source: AAP / Mark Evans
“(Police) will allege that this 28-year-old man’s actions were linked directly to the cause of the death of these three young people,” he said.
The man is in a coma in an intensive care unit, being treated for smoke inhalation and burns.
Acting superintendent Jason Pietruszka said heroic neighbours and police officers tried to enter the burning building and suffered minor injuries as a result.
Those efforts were the reasons four children and their mother were able to escape, he said.
“It’s completely and utterly devastating for people who know the family, that go to school with the other children — its a close-knit community and this will have a long-lasting impact,” he said.
A girl, nine, and three boys aged six, seven and 11 were taken to Westmead Hospital in stable conditions.
Their 29-year-old mother was also taken to hospital suffering smoke inhalation and is also sedated.
Acting superintendent Jason Pietruszka said neighbours and police officers tried to enter the burning building and suffered minor injuries as a result. Source: AAP / Mark Evans
Pietruszka was unable to confirm reports that the man was armed while trying to stop others from entering the property, but said it would be probed as part of the investigation over coming days.
A dog trained to detect accelerants would be used at the scene to help crews piece together what was used to start the blaze.
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