Man and woman arrested after two adults and two children killed in Ireland house fire

Two people have been arrested over the deaths of two adults and two children in a suspected arson attack on a house in Ireland.

Philip and Kim English were killed in the fire in Waterford shortly after 5am on Tuesday.

Two children, named Callum and Jayden, also died, while two more children with critical injuries were taken to hospital in Dublin.

On Thursday, police arrested a man in his 20s and a woman in her 30s over the incident.

Gardai said the duo were arrested on suspicion of facilitating a criminal organisation.

Police believe the blaze was started deliberately and have begun a murder investigation.

A post-mortem examination on Mr and Mrs English and the children has been completed but the results are not being released for "operational reasons".

Gardai have repeated their appeal for information on the suspected attack which took place on Birch Avenue, Birchwood.

On Thursday, Sinn Féin TD David Cullinane said the suspected attack showed "utter contempt for human life".

Multiple properties have been searched with a number of electronic devices and vehicles seized as part of an "intense" Garda investigation.

Hundreds attended a vigil on Wednesday in the Birchwood area.

(c) Sky News 2026: Man and woman arrested after two adults and two children killed in Ireland house fire