‘Fly high my angels, you are now safe’: Lalor Park fire victims laid to rest
A six-year-old boy his three-year-old brother and baby sister, just five-months-old, have been laid to rest, almost a month after their tragic deaths at Lalor Park.
Police & Courts
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Three children killed in a Lalor Park house fire have been farewelled in a moving funeral service today, after their father was charged with murder in what senior police described as “the worst case of filicide” in the state’s recent history.
A six-year-old boy his three-year-old brother and baby sister, just five-months-old, were laid to rest at Pinegrove Memorial Park, almost a month after their tragic deaths.
Their shattered mother and four siblings — aged between four and 11 – were all present, after escaping the blaze which claimed their loved ones’ lives on July 7.
Police allege the children’s father used an accelerant to light several fires inside the family’s Lalor Park home and attempted to stop his partner and children from fleeing.
Mourners offered the devastated mother hugs and condolences as they arrived at the overflowing as chapel on Friday.
In a touching tribute read during the service, the children’s mother said she would “forever miss” her babies.
“To my beautiful angels, no words cannot describe how much I miss you,” her tribute read.
“How unfair it is that you had to go so soon.
“We love you so much and miss you everyday.
“Fly high my angels you are now safe.”
With tears streaming down her face, she carried her baby daughter’s tiny pink coffin from the service in her arms, after telling friends and family she would: “always miss my morning cuddles with her”.
“My baby girl, you weren’t here for long but you will be forever missed,” her tribute read.
Her surviving four children walked behind her, crying and holding hands as their two brothers’ coffins followed.
Premier Chris Minns was in attendance, and read a bible verse during the service. Deputy Premier Prue Carr was also in attendance.
Senior detectives, including homicide squad boss Danny Doherty- who previously labelled the incident the worst case of filicide in recent memory – were also present to pay their respects.
The family’s neighbour Jarrod Hawkins was labelled a “true hero” during the service, after trying to pull the children from the burning home.
Police, firefighters and paramedics were also thanked for their efforts on the night of the horrific incident.
The children’s father, who woke from an induced coma at Westmead Hospital last month after being treated for burns and smoke inhalation, was charged with three counts of murder (DV), five counts of attempted murder (DV) and destroy/damage property with intent to endanger life (DV).
During the service, chaplain Gary Raymond said it was “not a funeral” but instead a “celebration of life”.
Mr Raymond recounted how “very hard” the last four weeks had been for the family, and read out domestic violence statistics, calling for an end to the scourge gripping the stage.
Following the service, the surviving children and their mother released pink and blue balloons in memory of the three children.
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