Father ‘wrestled’ kid from police to keep him inside burning home: Homicide boss

A father has been charged with three counts of murder after he allegedly trapped his children inside their western Sydney home, killing three of them.

An image of the father with a child, both digitally obscured for legal reasons. Picture: supplied

A father doused his western Sydney home in what was likely petrol after locking his seven children and partner inside, killing three of them, police say.

Police will also allege they had to “wrestle” an 11-year-old boy from the father’s grasp, who tried to keep him inside the burning Lalor Park home.

That child later allegedly told neighbours “(Dad) tried to kill us”.

On Thursday, the 28-year-old man was charged with three counts of murder (domestic violence) after the fire killed two boys aged two and six, and a five-month-old baby, as well as five counts of attempted murder (DV), with four of the children and his partner escaping the blaze with the help of a heroic neighbour.

After waking from his induced coma, the man was also charged with damage to property with intent to endanger life.

Homicide Squad boss Detective Superintendent Danny Doherty called it one of the “worst (alleged) cases of filicide we have in NSW in recent memory”.

Police will allege the man had a fight with his partner, aged 29, with whom he was in a decade-long de facto relationship, before he allegedly lit fires in the bedrooms and then in the rest of the house with the aid of an accelerant. It created an “explosive situation” that blew out windows and caused ‘pops’ heard by neighbours.

Detective Superintendent Doherty said they would allege there was “some kind of domestic argument or dispute that may have led to this incident happening and it unfolded into this horrendous, murderous act”.

He added that it was “quite unusual” that he had no police record or prior interactions with police, besides a welfare check, called in by a third-party, late last month. Police found there were “no issues” at the home.

“In the circumstances, one would expect there would be certain interactions … (But) a lot of these matters are unreported,” Detective Superintendent Doherty said.

The man was recently taken off sedation due to burns and smoke inhalation. He regained consciousness and spoke with police twice before he was charged.

His matter was briefly mentioned in Parramatta Local Court on Thursday morning and his solicitor, Ben Wilcox, did not make an application for bail.

“He understands what’s going on, and he’s now been refused bail. He understands three of his children have died as a result of the house fire, and he understands he’s been charged with those nine offences,” Detective Superintendent Doherty said.

Police are still investigating whether there may have been a “pair of scissors or some sharp implement at some stage”.

There is “no initial indication” there were drugs in his system but police said it would be part of the ongoing inquiry.

“We will allege the doors have been locked and as a result of that prevented those inside from escaping the fire,” Detective Superintendent Doherty said.

“The neighbour who very courageously managed to force entry into the house and initially was able to save the four-year-old and seven-year-old boys, then went back in and saved the nine-year-old girl, at the same time as the mother.

Floral tributes near the home. Picture: Richard Dobson

“(He) attempted to try to save the 11 year old, the oldest, (but) that was prevented, we will allege, by the 28-year-old man.

“(The neighbour) also contacted triple-0, police arrived, they also had to force entry, had to wrestle with this man and wrestle the boy from his grasp as he was holding onto him, allegedly.

“The boy was then rescued and the man, after some resistance, was rescued as well.”

The surviving children, three boys aged four, seven and 11 and a nine-year-old girl, were treated at the home at Lalor Park before being taken to hospital in a stable condition, where they remain. Their condition has improved, police said.

The mother was treated for smoke inhalation. She has now been discharged, visiting the site of the tragedy earlier this week.

Deputy superintendent Doherty called it “one of the most violent acts you can imagine”.

“We will allege this person is solely responsible, has, will be held accountable for his actions in court,” he said.

He said it could have been worse. “It could have been … the whole family dead inside that house.”

Police have also taken out an AVO on behalf of the woman and the children who are alive.

The AVO prevents the man from contacting his alleged victims, going within 500m of where they live or work, or approaching any school or childcare centre they attend. He is also prevented from possessing any firearm.

The hero neighbour who allegedly saved three of the kids was Jarrod Hawkins.

“I heard a loud pop and sprinted over,” he told The Australian over the weekend. “I heard the kids yelling inside and panicked.”

At the mention of being a hero, he said: “I didn’t do it for that.”

Detectives from the State Crime Command’s Homicide Squad began an investigation under Strike Force Carrbridge, with the assistance of Blacktown Police Area Command, North West Region, Arson Unit and Child Abuse Squad, before charging the man on Thursday.

The court matter was adjourned until September as police investigations continue.