A mother who lost her three children in a Lalor Park house fire allegedly lit by her partner has been comforted as she returned to the scene of the blaze for the first time.
On tonight’s episode of Paul Murray Live, Sky News host Paul Murray discusses house fires during winter, Optus, bank outages, government income, US politics and more.
Sky News host Paul Murray says “we all want to stay warm” but Australians should be warned against leaning too much on heating the house as many die every year due to house fires while keeping warm.
“It is not really breaking news that it is cold during winter … there is a reason I am mentioning this … the reason I mention this is because, sadly, there are people who die in house fires each and every winter,” Mr Murray said.
“Every year it is very close, or, depending on your data, even higher than the number we lose during bushfires.”
Homicide squad detectives are continuing their investigations into the Sunday morning blaze which claimed the lives of 29-year-old Stacey Gammage’s two sons aged two and six and her five-month-old girl at her home in western Sydney’s Lalor Park about 1am.
Ms Gammage’s partner Dean Heasman, 28, allegedly set the home on fire and is accused of dragging the family inside before stopping police and neighbours from fighting the flames.
Stacey Gammage returned to the scene of the fatal blaze on Tuesday afternoon. Picture: Nine News
The mother was captured by Nine News on Tuesday afternoon as she returned to the property.
She appeared to be joined by loved ones as she read cards left beside floral tributes outside the Freeman St home.
The 29-year-old, who was dressed in black and had her hospital band was visible, reportedly spent about 30 minutes at the house before police escorted her back to Westmead Hospital where her four surviving children – a nine-year-old daughter and three sons, aged four, seven and 11 – remain.
Police shut down the street to allow Ms Gammage to grieve privately.
It comes as the Sydney Morning Herald reported one of the boys allegedly told emergency services “Dad tried to kill us” as he as he emerged from the blaze alongside Mr Heasman.
NSW Homicide Squad Commander Daniel Doherty on Sunday said the alleged deliberate blaze was being treated as a “domestic (violence) related multiple homicide”. Picture: NewsWire/ Richard Dobson
The father, who allegedly told firefighters to “let me die here”, remains at Westmead Hospital in an induced coma under police guard and no charges have been laid.
The blaze was partly ignited after he allegedly threw a pillow on fire at Ms Gammage, the Daily Telegraph reported.
Investigators are probing whether he then allegedly used an accelerant as a second explosion engulfed the home moments after the pillow was thrown.
NSW Homicide Squad Commander Daniel Doherty on Sunday said the alleged deliberate blaze was being treated as a “domestic (violence) related multiple homicide”.
“At this stage it does appear the 28-year-old is responsible for multiple deaths of young lives that have been tragically taken away,” Supt Doherty said.
“We’re alleging the 28-year-old man took actions to prevent the young people inside being rescued.
Stacey Gammage and her defacto partner Dean Heasman. Picture: Facebook
“The 28-year-old man is currently … being treated for smoke inhalation and other medical issues related to the fire.”
Mr Heasman is reported to have also suffered burns to his skin and throat during the tragedy, as detectives wait to interview him.
Ms Gammage and her four surviving children are all expected to make a full recovery.
Anyone with information about this incident is urged to contact Crime Stoppers: 1800 333 000 or nsw.crimestoppers.com.au.