Sydney house fire man allegedly held door shut on police as children yelled for help

The man at the centre of the house fire horror that has rocked Australia allegedly held the door shut when police arrived as children yelled for help.

A man allegedly held the door shut when police arrived at the scene of an alleged house fire as children yelled for help inside.

The Sunday morning blaze took the lives of two boys aged 2 and 4 and a ten-month-old girl, with floral tributes banking up outside the Lalor Park house in Sydney’s west.

The 28-year-old man of the children allegedly held the door shut on police when they arrived at the scene as children yelled for help inside, The Daily Telegraph reported.

Police sources also told the masthead the man allegedly tried to drag some of the children back inside the burning house.

Homicide squad Detective Superintendent Danny Doherty has alleged the man intentionally kept police and neighbours out of the burning house while the kids were inside.

“At this stage it does appear the 28-year-old is responsible for multiple deaths of young lives that have been tragically taken away,” Superintendent Doherty told reporters on Sunday.

“We’re alleging the 28-year-old man took actions to prevent the young people inside being rescued.”

The Lalor Park home in Sydney’s west went up in flames early on Sunday morning. Picture: NewsWire / Jeremy Piper

The man remains in hospital in an induced coma and under police guard. It is unclear if he will survive as he suffered burns to his skin and throat, as well as smoke inhalation.

No charges have been laid, and the man doesn’t have a significant criminal history.

The incident is being investigated as a domestic violence, homicide incident.

Community’s heartbreak

Photos from the street on Monday morning show three candles next to a bouquet of flowers.

Another picture shows the heartbreakingly sweet message someone has left with a bouquet of flowers.

“May you rest in peace sweet innocent children. You are all in our hearts & thoughts,” the message read.

Someone has left a sweet message at a floral tribute at the crime scene. Picture: NewsWire / Jeremy Piper

A man lays flowers at a floral tribute at the crime scene. Picture: NewsWire / Jeremy Piper

Superintendent Doherty said the man was “not adversely known” to police, nor is he before the court for any other matters.

“These types of matters are just devastating. These are tragic circumstances,” he said.

“These are really extraordinary circumstances. We hope the community comes together, galvanises and helps the family.

“There’s more good than bad in the world. Tragedy usually brings out the best in people.”

Three candles placed at the scene. Picture: NewsWire / Jeremy Piper

Four other children were treated at the scene before being taken to hospital in a stable condition.

The man’s 29-year-old partner is also in hospital being treated for smoke inhalation.

She is not accused of any wrongdoing.

NSW Police Acting Superintendent Jason Pietruszka said the woman and the other children were expected to make a full recovery.

“It’s devastating, there’s no other word for it. It’s devastating for the community, the other kids who go to school with the children,” Superintendent Pietruszka said.

It is alleged aa man barricaded seven children and his partner inside a burning home in Sydney’s west early around 1am on Sunday and tried to stop rescuers from coming to save them. Picture: NewsWire / Jeremy Piper

Police are investigating the house fire. Picture: NewsWire / Jeremy Piper

Neighbours and police were “quite heroic” trying to get into the house, he said.

The actions of a neighbour saved more lives from being lost, the Superintendent said.

Fire investigators, including an accelerant detecting dog, were at the scene on Sunday.

Emergency services were called to the home in Freeman St, Lalor Park about 1am on Sunday.

“Going to a house fire, you’re always expecting the worst, hoping it won’t be but this was confronting, absolute chaos,” NSW Fire and Rescue Superintendent Adam Dewberry said.

The man who allegedly stopped rescuers from entering the house remains in a coma. Picture: NewsWire / Jeremy Piper

“They got in, commenced their firefighting operations, got in and did that search, got those two children out, handed them over to paramedics who then continued with that emergency medical treatment.”

He said crews faced “superheated” conditions, with the likely temperature in the home of between 600 and 700C while looking for the children.

“They can’t see … they’re getting through under extreme, superheated conditions while looking for those children,” Superintendent Dewberry said.

“There was heavy fire activity, the flames venting out through both front windows, getting up over the roof line.

“They got in under those fire conditions, started to knock down the fire and conducted a search under very extreme conditions.”