Police allege a father, who has been charged with three counts of murder, locked the doors of the family home to prevent anyone from escaping before three of his children died and four more were injured alongside their mother in Sydney’s west.
The 28-year-old man was charged with three counts of domestic violence-related murder, five counts of attempted domestic violence murder and destroying or damaging property with intent to endanger life relating to domestic violence.
The man, who was seriously injured during the Lalor Park blaze at the weekend, remained in hospital under police guard. He was suffering burns and smoke inhalation but was expected to make a full recovery after waking from an induced coma on Wednesday night.
Speaking after the accused faced court on Thursday morning, New South Wales Det Supt Danny Doherty said police would allege the man was the sole perpetrator.
He said police would allege the couple had a “domestic dispute” which then led to the alleged acts.
“What we will allege is that he prevented policemen and the neighbour getting into the premises, was holding on to the children, at least one child being the 11-year-old, had to be wrestled from that child, had to be wrestled away from the fire,” Doherty said.
“I commend the neighbour and also the police that responded. [They] did an outstanding job and a courageous job.”
Police alleged the man lit fires in multiple rooms of the house after locking the doors to prevent his family from escaping. Detectives allege an accelerant – likely petrol – was used.
Police alleged the offender may have had sharp implements like scissors on him at the time of the alleged murders.
Doherty said the mother was “devastated and heartbroken” but had been able to help police with their investigations – returning to the property for a walk-through with investigators on Wednesday after being discharged from hospital.
Her remaining children were expected to make a full recovery from smoke inhalation injuries and be discharged from hospital back into her care this week.
The case was mentioned briefly in Parramatta local court on Thursday morning. The man did not appear via video link from hospital.
The court heard the accused did not have a criminal history and had not been to court previously other than for a tax-related matter.
Magistrate Joy Boulos approved an apprehended violence order against the man.
The 28-year-old was not to go within 500 metres of his former partner and children, their schools, childcare centres or places of work, the court heard. He must not have any contact with his family outside lawyers.
He was forbidden from accessing firearms – although the court heard he was not believed to possess any.
The man remained under police guard in hospital with the matter due back in court on 6 September.
Police were called to the family home at about 1am on Sunday.
Two boys, aged six and two, were taken to hospital where they later died. A five-month-old baby girl was found dead inside the home.
The children’s 29-year-old mother was taken to hospital and had since been discharged.
Three other boys – aged four, seven and 11 – and a nine-year-old girl were also taken to hospital after the fire. They remained in a stable condition.
According to police, there was no AVO in place at the time.
In Australia, the crisis support service Lifeline is on 13 11 14 and the national family violence counselling service is on 1800 737 732. In the UK, Samaritans can be contacted on freephone 116 123 and the domestic abuse helpline is 0808 2000 247. In the US, the suicide prevention lifeline is 988 and the domestic violence hotline is 1-800-799-SAFE (7233). Other international helplines can be found via www.befrienders.org
