Father arrested after Sydney house fire kills three children
7:49 AM EDT, July 8, 2024
Tragic news from Sydney, Australia. Three children died in a house fire that occurred during the night of July 6th to July 7th. Preliminary police findings suggest that it was the children's father who started the fire. When firefighters attempted to extinguish the blaze, the man tried to cover up the crime and obstruct them.
The fire occurred on Freeman Street in Sydney from July 6th to July 7th. Emergency services, alerted by neighbors, arrived quickly at the scene but were initially unable to start extinguishing the fire.
According to local media, the father of seven children set the fire. Police claim that the man deliberately hindered emergency services from entering the burning house and rescuing the children. He also refused to let neighbors in.
"Dad tried to kill us," one of the children reportedly said to rescuers.
Eventually, firefighters broke down the door, extinguished the fire, and carried the children out of the building. Unfortunately, three of them did not survive. The youngest victim was only 10 months old. Firefighters fought for the girl’s life for about 40 minutes but were unsuccessful. Two older boys aged 3 and 6 died after being transported to Westmead Hospital.
A 9-year-old girl and boys aged 4, 7, and 11 survived the fire. The siblings were also taken to Westmead Hospital. Their mother, who was affected by smoke inhalation, was also admitted there. She is conscious and has been given sedatives.
Father of seven children arrested by police
28-year-old Dean Heasman was arrested. Since he was also injured in the fire, he was taken to the hospital under police supervision. Doctors placed the 28-year-old in a medically induced coma. According to the "Daily Mail," when emergency services arrived, the man reportedly yelled for them to "let him die."
The family's neighbors are shocked by what happened. They claim the family led a peaceful, happy life, and nothing foreshadowed such a tragedy.