Justice · Waterford fireWaterford Fire Kills Four as Police Open Murder InvestigationAired October 13, 2026 at 1:40 PM UTCWritten October 13, 2026 at 1:44 PM UTCRead the write-upThis storyFollow via RSSTranscript · LOADING0:07A house fire in Waterford killed a man, a woman, and two children.0:11Two other children are critically injured, and police have opened a murder0:15investigation into an arson attack.0:17Investigators still have to determine how the fire was started and who's0:20responsible.0:21Police confirmed four deaths later in the morning.0:24Two other children were removed from the house and taken to hospital with critical0:28injuries.0:29Their latest reported condition remains critical.0:31The house is on Birch Avenue in the Birchwood Estate in the Kilcohan area of0:35Waterford.0:36The earlier street name, Burwood Avenue, was wrong.0:39The estate is about three kilometers south of the city center, off Killier Road and0:44near the Ring Road.0:45The property is a two-story, semi-detached house.0:47The neighborhood is also known locally as the St.0:50John's Park area.0:51The household is understood to have been a couple and their four children, with both0:54parents and two children among those killed.0:56Police haven't publicly named the victims.0:59Fire crews found a well-developed fire when they arrived.1:02Units from surrounding stations began firefighting immediately and removed1:06casualties from the house.1:07They extinguished the fire, then handed the scene to police.1:10Gas Networks Ireland also attended.1:18Waterford Fire Service received the emergency call at about 5:13 in the morning.1:23Garda E Ireland's police service described the incident as happening shortly after1:275.1:28The call reached cruise on Tuesday, October 13th.1:30By lunchtime, police had changed the investigation's status.1:33During the morning, investigators were examining the cause with suspected arson1:37among their lines of inquiry.1:38Around lunchtime, Garda E announced a murder investigation into an arson attack.1:42That is the current status of the criminal inquiry.1:45Investigators are examining whether a petrol bomb was used.1:48That possibility is not yet confirmed.1:50Police haven't explained the precise way the fire was started or identified who's1:54responsible.1:55They haven't announced an arrest.1:56Investigators and local representatives have urged people to avoid speculation about2:00targeting or motive.2:01Garda E have set up an incident room at Waterford Garda Station and appointed a2:05senior investigating officer.2:07Family liaison officers have also been assigned.2:09Police have preserved the scene and officers have been making door-to-door2:13inquiries.2:14Police want to hear from anyone who is near Birch Avenue in Birchwood during the2:17early hours of Tuesday.2:19Their appeal covers people who were in the vicinity that morning and may have2:22information about what happened.2:24Witnesses can contact Waterford Garda Station on2:27051-305-300.2:30The Garda confidential line is 1800-666-111.2:35Information can also be given at any Garda station.2:38The two surviving children were initially taken to University Hospital Waterford.2:42A transfer to Crumlin was initially planned.2:44They were later understood to have moved to a better resourced hospital in Dublin,2:48but the transfer and final receiving hospital haven't been formally confirmed.2:52The children remain reported in critical condition.2:54There's been no public announcement of an improvement.2:57The immediate medical concern continues alongside the murder investigation and the3:01support being offered to people affected by the fire.3:03Irish Prime Minister Mikal Martin expressed condolences to everyone affected.3:07He thanked the first responders and asked people to give them and Garda E room to3:11work.3:11He described the situation as very worrying and deeply disturbing.3:15Waterford Member of Parliament David Cullinane said, I'm just utterly heartbroken.3:20He said he knew the family well and had met the man very recently.3:23He described devastation in the estate and across the wider Waterford community.3:27Cullinane also warned against speculation on social media.3:31He said it was unhelpful and upsetting while firm facts were still emerging.3:35The council has opened a place for people affected by the fire to get refreshments3:39and use facilities.3:40Butler Community Center in St.3:42John's Park is serving as the support hub.3:44Waterford City and County Council says refreshments and facilities are available for3:48people affected by the Birchwood fire.3:50The center's postcode is X91FEP4.3:53The Council's contact number is 0818-10-2020.3:56Its notice provides an email contact as well.3:58The hub is open for those affected with refreshments and access to facilities.The short
