An Australian father charged with murder of three of his children and attempting to kill the rest of his family in a house fire. The blaze claimed the lives of a five-month-old girl, a two-year-old boy, and a six-year-old boy. However, three boys aged four, seven, and 11, and a nine-year-old girl, survived along with their mother.
The 28-year-old man charged with murder and faced three counts of murder, five counts of attempted murder, and one charge of destroying property. He remains in hospital under police guard. The fire has horrified the country and coincides with Australia’s government declaring domestic and family violence a “national crisis.”
Police allege the father started the inferno and blocked rescue attempts. He will face court on Thursday, appearing remotely in a bedside hearing. The alleged attack took place around 01:00 (15:00 GMT) in Western Sydney on Sunday morning, according to witnesses, police, and emergency services.
Neighbors and first responders helped rescue the four surviving children and their mother. The two- and six-year-old boys initially escaped the house in critical condition but died in hospital shortly after. The five-month-old baby girl was found deceased at the scene.
The mother and her four surviving children are in stable condition, according to police. This tragic event has sparked a national outcry, highlighting the urgent need to address domestic violence in Australia.
The father’s alleged actions have underscored the gravity of the charges he faces, including three charges of murder, marking a significant and tragic escalation of family violence that has deeply affected the community
