'We didn't know there was a baby inside.'
A father-of-seven is facing a triple murder charge after he ‘barricaded’ the doors to his home and ‘began a fire’ with his children inside.
Neighbours in the Sydney Suburb of Lalor Park woke up to see children climbing out of the windows and saying their dad had ‘tried to kill them’.
Four children escaped, but three are dead – with emergency services unable to save the youngsters.
A five-month-old baby girl and two boys – aged two and six – died after being taken to hospital.
The children’s mother, 28, survived the blaze, with cops now believing the father, 29, intentionally sparked the fire.
One neighbour told BBC that she blames herself for the tragedy: ‘We feel ashamed. We didn’t know there was a baby inside.’
New South Wales DS Daniel Doherty said: ‘Police will allege this man is solely responsible for setting fires inside the premises.
‘Out of these tragic circumstances we see that good people rise to the surface and they’re getting as much assistance as they can.’
Tributes have been left near the scene, with bouquets of flowers laid on the ground and the community holding a vigil this week.
NSW Police Acting Superintendent Jason Pietruszka added: ”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.’
The surviving children and their mother will make a full recovery, authorities said.
The father is in custody after being refused bail. He’s set to appear in front of a local court on September 6.
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