‘Day of immense sadness’ for tight-knit Waterford community

Local residents in the Birchwood housing estate in Waterford city said they are shocked and devastated following a house fire which left a couple and two of their children dead.

A murder investigation is under way into the arson attack at the house shortly after 5am. In addition to the four people who died, two other children are in a critical condition in hospital.

Father Gerard Chestnutt, who is parish priest at Sacred Heart Church at The Folly in Waterford, said it was a “day of immense sadness”.

“People are devastated, in particular here in the Birchwood estate, because the family are well known,” he told reporters at the scene of the fire.

“The community is well established, it’s a very tight-knit community. As you can see, there’s many people out on the street here, and they’re all absolutely heartbroken.

“But it goes beyond here as well. The wider community is absolutely devastated. Our school communities, the primary schools are absolutely heartbroken, both the staff and students.

“And I would know the family very well. It’s a day of immense sadness for this entire community.”

He added: “There’s no words even that people can find to try to grasp or try to understand what’s happened.”

A neighbour who rang the emergency services when the fire broke out spoke of her sadness.

“It’s just devastating – a whole family nearly wiped out,” the woman, who did not want to be named, said.

“At 5.15am this morning I rang the fire brigade.

“I could hear it all unfolding behind me. The dog actually woke me up barking.

“I’m just so upset. I think the council are offering some kind of counselling down in the community centre there. I might go down.”

The woman said she knew the family who lived in the house well, describing them as “nice” people.

She said the community would now have to rally together, adding: “We just have to stick together now and just look after each other.”

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Bishop of Waterford and Lismore Alphonsus Cullinan has said the entire city and wider community in Waterford is shocked and saddened at the “unspeakable tragedy”.

Speaking on RTÉ’s Today with David McCullagh, Bishop Cullinan said the people of the estate will rally around those who have been impacted.

“It’s not something natural; it’s something totally unnatural to lose one, to lose several lives in this way and it’s just an unspeakable tragedy.

Read more: ‘Absolute devastation’ as four killed in Waterford arson attack Follow live updates

“So we will try and reach out as best we can and I’m sure the parish priest of the area will be calling on all … and I’m sure the people of the estate will do what they can to reach out to this family as well.

“It is a help and it does show the Christian concern and the empathy and the sympathy that the neighbours will have and they will all be affected by this, this morning,” Bishop Cullinan said.

The Taoiseach has said his thoughts and prayers are with those who died in the fire, and appealed to people to “give space to first responders”.

Speaking as he arrived at this morning’s Cabinet meeting, Micheál Martin called it a “very worrying and deeply disturbing situation”.

Sinn Féin TD David Cullinane knows the family who lived in the house.

Speaking on RTÉ’s Morning Ireland, he said his heart goes out to the family and their relatives, adding, “I’m just utterly heartbroken”.

He said the incident defies belief and that nothing of this level has ever been seen in the area.

Government Chief Whip and local TD Mary Butler said that she is “heartbroken” for the family and friends of those killed and injured.

“This is a truly tragic and deeply disturbing incident that has resulted in the loss of a number of lives.

“I want to sincerely thank the Waterford Fire Service, the first responders, National Ambulance Service and all at University Hospital Waterford who responded in the early hours of this morning.

“I have been in touch with the HSE nationally and regionally, the National Director for Fire and Emergency Management, the Chief Executive of Waterford City and County Council, and briefed An Taoiseach ahead of the Cabinet meeting.

“I’m extremely conscious of the devastation being felt by this tight-knit community and my thoughts and prayers are with them. The Butler Community Centre is open to all as a support hub for people affected,” Ms Butler added.

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Minister for State and local TD John Cummins said Waterford has been plunged into “utter devastation and sadness” with the tragic loss of lives overnight in Birchwood.

In a statement, Mr Cummins said: “My deepest sympathies go to the loved ones of those who have lost their lives, their friends, neighbours and the wider community.

“I would also like to pay tribute to the emergency services personnel who have been attending what can only be described as a horrific scene.

“Gardaí need to be given the time and space to carry out their investigations into what is still an unfolding situation.”

Mayor of the Waterford Metropolitan District, Councillor Lola O’Sullivan, urged people not to comment on social media about “something that they don’t have factual information on.”

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She described the Birchwood estate as a quiet area on the outskirts of the city.

“Waterford is devastated, as any community would be, waking up to the news this morning, and our thoughts and prayers are with the family and the friends.

“There are two primary schools within walking distance of this estate. It’s quite an established estate, [a] quiet area of Waterford. It’s just shocking,” she said.