Devastated community members have come together in a heartfelt show of strength for the family of three young children who were allegedly murdered by their father in a horrific house fire.
At a solemn vigil held on the same street where two boys, aged six and two, and a five-month-old girl tragically lost their lives, more than 200 people gathered to pay their respects at Chifley Park in Lalor Park, in Sydney’s west, on Thursday night.
The meeting was attended by politicians, emergency services workers and mental health support staff from NSW Health.
The children’s mother, who was also injured in the fire, returned to the street for the second time in two days to attend the service accompanied by her loved ones. Four surviving children remain hospitalized in stable condition.
Parents, holding their young children, stood silently in the wooded park, reflecting on the shocking tragedy.
The couples embraced as the community tried to come to terms with Sunday’s horrific events.
The Australian flag flew at half-mast in the park and some emotional members of the vigil hugged each other.
Police officers stood by community members in a show of solidarity.
Devastated community members gathered at a community vigil at Chifley Park in Lalor Park, in Sydney’s west, on Thursday for the three young children who died in a house fire on Sunday.
Deputy Premier Prue Car arrives to join community members at a community vigil at Chifley Park in Lalor Park in Sydney’s west.
Community members gathered in a heartfelt show of strength at a vigil in Chifley Park in Lalor Park in Sydney’s west on Thursday.
NSW Deputy Premier Prue Car addressed the vigil and confirmed the state is united in its support.
“To say that we express our condolences and our love for the family does not seem to be enough,” he said.
Saying that every child deserves to feel the love of a safe family, a safe home, does not seem to be enough either.
‘This whole country, the community of New South Wales, we embrace you and all those who helped.
‘We offer our love and support in the most difficult times.’
Blacktown Mayor Brad Bunting also addressed the somber crowd.
“We are gathered here tonight so that we can come together and heal,” she said.
‘We do better as a community, we do better together.
“We can only overcome this darkness together as one. It’s important for you to know that there will always be someone who will listen to us.
‘There is light at the end of the darkness.’
Blacktown East Presbyterian minister Keith Boulden spoke of the pain the community was enduring and the ongoing support it needed.
“The family is fundamental to the functioning of a healthy society,” he said.
‘Family members attend a local school… that part of our community will be feeling that pain and anguish.’
Local police officers attend a community vigil Thursday for the three young children who died in a house fire in Lalor Park on Sunday.
Members of the Lalor Park community gather in Chifley Park on Thursday for a vigil for the three young children who died in a house fire on Sunday.
A couple support each other at Thursday night’s vigil at Chifley Park in Lalor Park in memory of three young children allegedly killed in a house fire.
“An incident of this nature had a very particular and profound impact on our personnel involved,” Bolden said.
“Events like this impact us on a personal and professional level and it is an opportunity to meet with the community and share that experience with them.”
Thursday’s vigil comes as a 28-year-old man has been charged with murder and attempted murder after he allegedly used an accelerant to light the fire inside the home before preventing his family from fleeing.
Detective Superintendent Daniel Doherty on Thursday described the alleged incident as “one of the worst cases of filicide” in New South Wales in recent memory.
“We will allege that the doors were locked and as a result prevented those inside, the occupants, from escaping the fire,” Superintendent Doherty said.
Mr Doherty said police will allege the man used an accelerant to set multiple fires inside the house in the early hours of Sunday morning.
Two children, aged two and six, died despite being rushed to Westmead Hospital and a five-month-old girl was pronounced dead at the scene.
Her 28-year-old mother and four other children aged 4, 7, 9 and 11 managed to escape the blaze after a heroic neighbour “bravely” forced their way into the house.
Mr Doherty said the neighbour was able to save the two children before going back inside.
The Lalor Park community gathered for a vigil to pay their respects at a vigil in Chifley Park in Sydney’s west on Thursday.
The Lalor Park community gathered Thursday for a vigil to honor the family of three children who died in a house fire Sunday.
The community gathered for a vigil at Chifley Park in Lalor Park on Thursday.
“He then returned and saved the nine-year-old girl, at the same time as the mother, and attempted to save the 11-year-old girl… We will allege that the 28-year-old man prevented this,” he said.
Police say the neighbour called 9-0 and responding officers forced their way into the burning home before fighting with the man.
“They also had to force entry, they had to wrestle with this man and grab the child that he was allegedly holding onto, and then they rescued the child,” Superintendent Doherty said.
“The man was later arrested as well, after some resistance.”
It will be alleged that the man tried to kill his family after a domestic argument or dispute.
Following a brief appearance in Parramatta Local Court on Thursday morning, police took out an AVO on behalf of the woman and surviving children.
The man remains in police custody at Westmead Hospital.
A community vigil on Thursday honored the memory of three children who died in a house fire on Sunday.
