Add articles to your saved list and come back to them any time Almost a month after three children were killed in a western Sydney house fire allegedly lit by their father their grieving mother carried her youngest daughter’s tiny pink coffin from a heartbreaking funeral service How unfair it is that you had to go so soon,” their mother Stacey Gammage said in a tribute read at the service Stacey Gammage carries her baby daughter Willow’s casket from her children’s funeral service.Credit: Nine News Mourners gathered at Minchinbury’s Pinegrove Memorial Park on Friday to remember Dean who all died in the blaze at Lalor Park last month Rose flower petals were handed out and pastel balloons were released into the air as mourners farewelled the children The children could have been anything they wanted Raymond said he would not forget watching Gammage carry her baby girl’s casket at the service attended by Premier Chris Minns Deputy Premier Prue Car and homicide squad Commander Danny Doherty were farewelled at their funeral after being killed in a house fire allegedly lit by their father.Credit: Nine News their personalities and what they might have been … doctors Stacey carried little Willow’s coffin in her arms.” Police will allege the blaze was deliberately lit by the children’s father blocking the exit and preventing emergency services from accessing the property Heasman spent several days in an induced coma suffering from burns and smoke inhalation he was charged with three counts of murder five counts of attempted murder and one charge of destroying property with the intent to endanger life The children were killed in a western Sydney house fire allegedly lit by their father last month.Credit: Kate Geraghty It is the second case of alleged filicide – where a parent kills their own child – in the state in recent months after James Harrison killed himself and his two-year-old son Rowan in Lismore in May In the immediate aftermath of the Lalor Park tragedy Minns branded the children’s deaths a “horrifying and senseless act … that’s quite rightly outraged the entire state” There was no mention of the fire at the service mourners tried to celebrate the young lives lost Raymond said the boys had themed coffins with different cartoon characters there’s a coffin and the person is normally elderly or tragically out of a road crash or something We didn’t mention the alleged offender at all The children’s distraught mother wrote a message that her sister read out A speaker from Dean’s school shared what a wonderful student he was “She said he was a bit of a leader,” Raymond said “There’ll be bad days and good days and more sad days ahead But we will never ever forget these three children.” While Friday was about the children’s lives and not the way they died Raymond said he could not ignore the plague of men’s violence against women and children “It is a worldwide issue at the moment,” he said there is an issue with the abuse and killing of women and children Support is available from the National Sexual Assault, Domestic Family Violence Counselling Service (1800RESPECT) on 1800 737 732 Start the day with a summary of the day’s most important and interesting stories, analysis and insights. Sign up for our Morning Edition newsletter their grieving mother carried her youngest daughter\\u2019s tiny pink coffin from a heartbreaking funeral service How unfair it is that you had to go so soon,\\u201D their mother Stacey Gammage said in a tribute read at the service Mourners gathered at Minchinbury\\u2019s Pinegrove Memorial Park on Friday to remember Dean Raymond said he would not forget watching Gammage carry her baby girl\\u2019s casket at the service attended by Premier Chris Minns their personalities and what they might have been \\u2026 doctors \\u201CIt was to celebrate the children\\u2019s lives Stacey carried little Willow\\u2019s coffin in her arms.\\u201D Police will allege the blaze was deliberately lit by the children\\u2019s father It is the second case of alleged filicide \\u2013 where a parent kills their own child \\u2013 in the state in recent months Minns branded the children\\u2019s deaths a \\u201Chorrifying and senseless act \\u2026 that\\u2019s quite rightly outraged the entire state\\u201D there\\u2019s a coffin and the person is normally elderly it was really confronting,\\u201D Raymond said \\u201CBut we didn\\u2019t mention the fire at all We didn\\u2019t mention the alleged offender at all We were able to just focus on the kids.\\u201D The children\\u2019s distraught mother wrote a message that her sister read out A speaker from Dean\\u2019s school shared what a wonderful student he was \\u201CShe said he was a bit of a leader,\\u201D Raymond said he could have been a teacher.\\u2019 \\u201D \\u201CThere\\u2019ll be bad days and good days and more sad days ahead But we will never ever forget these three children.\\u201D While Friday was about the children\\u2019s lives and not the way they died Raymond said he could not ignore the plague of men\\u2019s violence against women and children \\u201CIt is a worldwide issue at the moment,\\u201D he said so we have to do something to stop this.\\u201D Support is available from the (1800RESPECT) on 1800 737 732 Start the day with a summary of the day\\u2019s most important and interesting stories Devastated community members have rallied in a heartfelt show of strength for the family of three young children who were allegedly murdered by their father in a horror house fire In a solemn vigil held in the same street where two boys, aged six and two, and a five-month-old baby girl tragically lost their lives, more than 200 people stood together to pay their respects in Chifley Park in Lalor Park in Sydney's west on Thursday night emergency service workers and mental health support staff from NSW Health attended the gathering The children's grieving mother who was also injured in the blaze returned the street for the second time in two days to attend the service flanked by loved ones Four surviving children remain in hospital in stable conditions Parents holding young children stood quietly in the tree-lined park Couples held each as the community tried to come to grips with the horrific events of Sunday The Australian flag in the park was at half mast and some emotional members of the vigil embraced each other Police officers stood with community members in a show of solidarity NSW Deputy Premier Prue Car addressed the vigil 'Saying that we express our condolences and our love to the family doesn't seem nearly enough,' she said 'Saying that every child deserves to feel the love of a safe family 'This whole country, the community of New South Wales, we wrap our arms around you, and those who assisted. 'We offer our love and our support through the most trying times.' Blacktown mayor Brad Bunting also addressed sombre attendees. 'We gather here this evening to be able to come together to be able to heal,' he said 'We do that best as a community, we do that best together. 'We can only get through this darkness together as a one. It's important you know that there's always somebody to listen to us.  'There's light at the end of the darkness.' Blacktown East Presbyterian minister Keith Boulden spoke of the pain the community is enduring and the ongoing support it would need. 'Family is central to the functioning of a healthy society,' he said. 'Members of the family attend a local school... that part of our community will be feeling that heartache and pain.' 'The incident of this nature had a very particular and a profound impact on our staff involved, Mr Bolden said.  'Events like this impact us on a personal, as well as a professional, level and it is a chance to gather with the community and share that experience with them.'  Thursday's vigil comes 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 blocking his family from fleeing. Detective Superintendent Daniel Doherty on Thursday described the alleged incident as 'one of the worst cases of filicide' in NSW in recent memory. 'We will allege that the doors had been locked, and as a result, prevented those inside, the occupants, to escape the fire,' Superintendent Doherty said. Mr Doherty said police will allege the man used an accelerant to light multiple fires inside the home in the early hours of Sunday morning. Two boys, aged 2 and 6 died despite being rushed to Westmead Hospital and a five-month-old girl was declared dead at the scene. Their mother, 28, and four other children aged, 4,7, 9 and 11 were able to escape the blaze after a heroic neighbour 'courageously' forced his way into the home. Mr Doherty said the neighbour was able to save the two boys before going back in. 'He then went back in and saved the nine-year-old girl, at the same time as the mother, and attempted to try to save the 11-year-old ... We will allege that was prevented by the 28-year-old man,' he said. Police allege the neighbour called triple-0 and responding police forced their way into the burning house before wrestling with the man. 'They also had to force entry, had to wrestle with this man and wrestle the boy from his grasp as he was holding on to him, allegedly, and the boy was then rescued,' Superintendent Doherty said. 'The man was then, after some resistance, arrested as well.' It will be alleged that the man attempted to kill his family following a domestic argument or dispute. Following a brief mention in the Parramatta Local Court on Thursday morning, police have taken out an AVO on behalf of the woman and the surviving children. The man remains under police guard at Westmead Hospital. Major terror attack 'was just HOURS away' before it was foiled by the special forces and police:... Victim of acid attack 'plotted by his ex-partner who teamed up with a gang' dies in hospital six... We are trapped in unsellable newbuild homes after a £52m dual carriageway was built on our... Horror as $4.5M influencer-laden yacht SINKS off Miami... after glam women made a rookie maritime... Pub is forced to pay family £75,000 after wrongly accusing them of 'dine and dash' over £150... How Meghan's biggest cheerleader brokered Harry's disastrous BBC interview - three months after... 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Husband of British mother, 65, who was knifed to death in French village says her affair is a... while three others were hospitalised.Residents of Lalor Park have held a community vigil for the three young children who died in a recent house fire Anthony Albanese says there's 'a long way to go' on domestic violence after recent killings Australia's domestic violence 'crisis' — and how you can support someone experiencing it ShareGet SBS News daily and direct to your InboxSign up now for the latest news from Australia and around the world direct to your inbox.Your email address *Morning (Mon–Fri) Dog lovers in Lalor are set to reap the benefits of a new off-leash park, with Whittlesea securing a $300,000 funding boost from the state government. The money, delivered through the new and upgraded dog park program, will go towards developing a dedicated off-leash area at VR Michael Reserve– a much-anticipated addition identified in the reserve’s master plan adopted last year. The local community will have their chance to shape the space, with consultation set to open in the coming months. Residents can weigh in on key features, from park layout and lighting, to the type and placement of furniture. Aidan McLindon, before being suspended, said the grant helps bring council’s vision for the reserve to life. “Taking the dog for a walk down at the local dog park is a great way to get some exercise while having fun and socialising with like-minded pet owners,” he said. “We’re grateful to the state government for this $300,000 grant which will allow us to fulfil a key component of our vision for VR Michael Reserve.” The Lalor site joins a growing list of dog-friendly destinations across the municipality. Works on two other grant-funded projects–Allumba Park in Wollert ($500,000) and the upgraded facility at Whittlesea Public Gardens in Lalor ($340,000) are nearing completion, with both expected to open within weeks. have died after a house fire in Sydney's west Four other children and a 29-year-old woman are being treated in hospital A 28-year-old man has been arrested and remains under police guard in hospital Link copiedShareShare articleA fire which killed three young children in a house at Lalor Park in Sydney's west is being treated as a domestic violence incident Fire crews were called to the scene just before 1am on Sunday were treated by paramedics and taken to Westmead Hospital in a critical condition Fire and Rescue crews extinguished the fire before the third child a five-month-old girl who police initially said was 10 months old NSW police have given an update on a house fire that left three children dead That concludes our coverage of the media conference but our story will be updated with more information as it comes in You can look back on today's developments below, or download the ABC News app and subscribe to our range of news alerts for the latest updates. Copy link7 Jul, 1:04amSun 7 Jul 2024 at 1:04amMother under sedationDetective Doherty said the mother is aware of the tragedy but is now under sedation. "They've just survived a traumatic fire incident where they've all been impacted physically, but they've also been impacted emotionally and mentally. That is the longer-term issue. "Hopefully they can get through the physical injuries, but the emotional and mental issues, what they have to cope with, that will be a longer term. That is where the support comes around." Copy link7 Jul, 1:01amSun 7 Jul 2024 at 1:01amAccelerant dog investigating houseFire investigators plan to spend days combing through the site, including using an accelerant dog to determine the cause of the blaze. "That will be part of the investigations while they rake through the scene, that will take time," Doherty says. "This won't just happen today but over days. They are the answers we will have to provide at a later stage." Copy linkShow morePolice allege a 28-year-old man, who is now in custody, tried to stop police and other emergency services from rescuing the children from the burning home.  "I can confirm during police attempts to get into the property, those efforts were frustrated by a male inside," NSW Police Acting Superintendent Jason Pietruszka said.  Four other children survived the fire.   (Supplied) The man arrested is the father of the children who died and was under police guard in hospital.  He was in an induced coma and being treated for burns and smoke inhalation.  The mother as well as three boys aged, four, seven and 11, and a nine-year-old girl, were also taken to hospital and were expected to recover. Superintendent Pietruszka said the incident was being investigated as a domestic violence related offence, and said the man was not the subject of an AVO and was not before the court for any matter.  "He is not adversely known to police at all," Superintendent Pietruszka said.  "We're treating this as a domestic-related homicide, multiple homicide." Fire investigators are making their way through the low-set brick house on Freeman Street in Lalor Park.  (ABC News: Ethan Rix) Superintendent Pietruszka said police will allege the 28-year-old tried to stop neighbours and emergency services as they "heroically" tried to rescue the children.  "The building was on fire, police approached, as did a neighbour, quite heroic in what they did in trying to get entry into a place that as stated was well on fire," he said.  "The neighbour did try to assist and I believe those actions, as well, saved further life from being lost."  Police will allege the father of the children tried to stop efforts from a neighbour to save them.  (ABC News: Ethan Rix) Detective Superintendent Danny Doherty from the homicide squad said the mother is aware of the tragedy but was now under sedation. "They've just survived a traumatic fire incident where they've all been impacted physically, but they've also been impacted emotionally and mentally," he said.  "Hopefully they can get through the physical injuries but the emotional and mental issues, what they have to cope with, that will be a longer term." Police said the children had not been formally identified. Police are investigating whether an accelerant was used to start the fire.  (ABC News: Tony Ibrahim ) NSW Fire and Rescue superintendent Adam Dewberry said firefighters rushed into the burning home to search for the children and were met with what he described as a "confronting" scene. "When our crews arrived they were confronted by pretty chaotic scenes with a number of adults and children who had self-evacuated," Superintendent Dewberry said.  "They got in under those fire conditions, started to knock down the fire and conducted a search under very extreme conditions."  Dozens of police, ambulance and other emergency services were at the scene overnight. (ABC News) The firefighters who found the two and four-year-olds went back into the home to search for the baby.  Superintendent Dewberry said temperatures likely reached between 600 and 700 degrees Celsius.  "They can't see … they're getting through under extreme, superheated conditions, while looking for those children," he said.  "The firefighters who found the two children actually went back in to conducted a search for the third child, but unfortunately they were unable to locate that child, who was located after the smoke had cleared. "I watched a young child sitting on a young constable's lap while they were being treated by paramedics. "This is just a tragedy all round. Everyone deals with these things differently; we've got to make sure that we are there for our firefighters, there for each other."  Local residents Graham and Elizabeth Cocks woke to news of the tragedy this morning.  (ABC News: Ethan Rix) NSW Premier Chris Minns described the incident as horrifying and senseless, promising that the state would provide support to the family. In a statement, the premier said the children deserved "love and protection and a caring home". "Our love and thoughts are with the surviving family members," Mr Minns said. "Our thoughts are also with the emergency service workers who fought to save lives last night, and who will also be recovering in their own way after a horrible night." NSW Premier Chris Minns said that love and thoughts are with the surviving family members. (ABC News: Ethan Rix) Mayor of Blacktown City Brad Bunting said he was devastated by the news and that the council would rally around the community of Lalor Park. "We thank fire and rescue, police, and all emergency services officers for their immediate response," Mr Bunting said. "In the days ahead, our council will look to support the heartbroken family and local residents." Shocked locals woke to the scene this morning.  Nearby residents Graham and Elizabeth Cocks said they were devastated by the deaths.  "It's just terrible," Mr Cocks said. "When it happens so close to home, it's happening in the suburb we have been for 20 years, just devastating to know that this sort of thing has gone on. Just awful."  CNN and the BBC World Service which is copyright and cannot be reproduced AEST = Australian Eastern Standard Time which is 10 hours ahead of GMT (Greenwich Mean Time) A mother-of-seven has been sedated after detectives told her three of her children were killed in a house fire that was allegedly lit by their father Dean Heasman, 28, allegedly barricaded his partner Stacey Gammage, 29, and their kids inside their government-owned home in Lalor Park, in Sydney's west were taken to Westmead Hospital in a critical condition but died of their injuries they found the body of a 10-month-old girl Her body was removed from the property during forensic investigations on Sunday afternoon Detectives swarmed the home throughout Sunday looking for clues as to how the blaze began and whether Heasman allegedly used a fire accelerant Among the evidence removed from the house were two water bottles with a brownish petrol-like liquid inside Police allege Heasman held the front door shut when emergency services arrived and shouted 'Let me die here' as the children screamed for help inside Heasman is reported to have suffered burns to his skin and throat and the affects of smoke inhalation during the tragedy and is now in an induced coma as detectives wait to interview him Neighbours told Daily Mail Australia that all three front rooms of the home were quickly engulfed with flames before power lines began to spark and snapped off the house whose daughter was friends with one of the surviving children was hailed a hero after rushing to the burning home and saving a nine-year-old girl and her three brothers The eldest boy told his rescuers: 'Dad tried to kill me.' Once Mr Hawkins left the burning home with four children they were placed on the other side of the road before another neighbour Damien Dubois decided to move them away from the scene 'I had the four kids and they were cold so we picked them up and took them into the back room of my place,' Mr Dubois told Daily Mail Australia The two younger kids weren't saying anything so I picked them up and took them out of the way of all this trauma Mr Dubois recalled Heasman taking some of the children on quad bike rides around the local neighbourhood just a few weeks ago Family friends arrived at the scene after news of the tragedy broke on Sunday added: 'I wouldn't have believed it if I didn't see it with my own eyes '[Heasman] was always with his kids and he was good to the kids - nice He was telling me last year he had a newborn on its way.' Mr King said he was shattered by the tragedy because he thought Heasman who he affectionately called 'Deano reamo' and 'Deano the albino' was a 'respectful person with morals' Another said: 'I've known Deano since we were grasshoppers in pre-school and I can't believe this.' Blacktown Police Acting Superintendent Jason Pietruszka said Mr Hawkins' actions at the scene 'saved further lives from being lost' He was unable to confirm whether Heasman was armed while trying to stop others from entering the property but he said that would be a line of inquiry within the coming days Homicide Squad Detective Superintendent Danny Doherty said police were treating the fire as a domestic-related multiple homicide He said at Ms Gammage and her surviving children are being treated at Westmead Hospital for burns and smoke inhalation Heasman is under police guard in an induced coma in the intensive care unit 'At this stage it does appear the 28-year-old is responsible for multiple deaths of young lives that have been tragically taken away,' Det Supt Doherty said 'We're alleging the 28-year-old man took actions to prevent the young people inside being rescued.' Major terror attack 'was just HOURS away' before it was foiled by the special forces and police:.. 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Police are treating the deaths of three young children in a house fire in Sydney’s west as a “domestic-related homicide” At least 20 firefighters and six fire trucks rushed to Freeman Street at Lalor Park about 1am today to find the home well alight Police will allege that upon arrival they encountered a 28-year-old man who “frustrated” first responders’ attempts to get inside the property “The 28-year-old man is currently under police guard in hospital in an induced coma.” Acting Superintendent Jason Pietruszka praised the heroic actions of officers and a neighbour who went to extraordinary measures to gain entry to the home “They then had to bring the offender under arrest they suffered various injuries as a result and that was done so in a manner that was quite extraordinary “The neighbour that did try to assist helped further lives from being lost.” Despite the best efforts of police and paramedics two boys they located the body of a 10-month-old girl A nine-year-old girl and three boys aged four seven and 11 were treated at the scene before being taken to hospital in stable condition A 29-year-old woman was transported to hospital for smoke inhalation It’s understood the man arrested at the scene was not previously known to police and had no existing apprehended violence order against him Fire and Rescue NSW Superintendent Adam Dewberry praised the work of first responders for what was a confronting scene An investigation is underway into the circumstances behind the blaze A 28-year-old man has been charged with a number of offences, including three counts of murder, over a fire in Western Sydney that killed three children The man's case was heard in Parramatta Local Court on Thursday morning where he was represented by a lawyer and did not appear via video link from hospital He did not apply for bail and his case was adjourned until 6 September His lawyer declined to comment outside court Emergency services responded to a home in Lalor Park about 1am on Sunday following reports of the house fire A two-year-old and six-year-old boy and a five-month-old girl were killed They are yet to be formally identified and post-mortem examinations to determine cause of death are underway The man - who is the father of the children - is also facing five counts of attempted domestic violence murder three boys and a nine-year-old girl escaped the house fire The 29-year-old woman has since been discharged from hospital and the four children remain in stable conditions The family have been offered counselling and emergency accommodation through the homicide victim's support group Officers who responded to the fire have been provided counselling The man remains under police guard at Westmead Hospital Detective Superintendent Daniel Doherty said the man had been taken off sedation after suffering smoke inhalation and burns "He understands that three of his children have died as a result of this house fire and he understands he's been charged with those nine offences." Neighbour Jarrod Hawkins ran into the burning home after hearing children yelling for help Hawkins said he struggled to see past a thick layer of smoke once he got through the front door "I then heard kids coughing and yelling to my right," he said Hawkins continued to try and rescue the children from the back of the house even after police and firefighters had arrived - ABC tried to stop police and other emergency services from rescuing the children from the burning home Top Stories RSS Follow RNZ News is facing three domestic violence murder charges and five counts of attempted murder after weekend blaze at Lalor Park Police allege a father, who has been charged with three counts of murder, locked the doors of the family home to prevent anyone from escaping before three of his children died and four more were injured alongside their mother in Sydney’s west The 28-year-old man was charged with three counts of domestic violence-related murder five counts of attempted domestic violence murder and destroying or damaging property with intent to endanger life relating to domestic violence who was seriously injured during the Lalor Park blaze at the weekend He was suffering burns and smoke inhalation but was expected to make a full recovery after waking from an induced coma on Wednesday night Sign up for Guardian Australia’s free morning and afternoon email newsletters for your daily news roundup Speaking after the accused faced court on Thursday morning, New South Wales Det Supt Danny Doherty said police would allege the man was the sole perpetrator He said police would allege the couple had a “domestic dispute” which then led to the alleged acts “What we will allege is that he prevented policemen and the neighbour getting into the premises had to be wrestled away from the fire,” Doherty said “I commend the neighbour and also the police that responded [They] did an outstanding job and a courageous job.” Police alleged the man lit fires in multiple rooms of the house after locking the doors to prevent his family from escaping Detectives allege an accelerant – likely petrol – was used Police alleged the offender may have had sharp implements like scissors on him at the time of the alleged murders Doherty said the mother was “devastated and heartbroken” but had been able to help police with their investigations – returning to the property for a walk-through with investigators on Wednesday after being discharged from hospital Det Supt Danny Doherty speaks to reporters on Thursday. Photograph: Tamsin Rose/The GuardianHer remaining children were expected to make a full recovery from smoke inhalation injuries and be discharged from hospital back into her care this week. The case was mentioned briefly in Parramatta local court on Thursday morning. The man did not appear via video link from hospital. The court heard the accused did not have a criminal history and had not been to court previously other than for a tax-related matter. Magistrate Joy Boulos approved an apprehended violence order against the man. The 28-year-old was not to go within 500 metres of his former partner and children, their schools, childcare centres or places of work, the court heard. He must not have any contact with his family outside lawyers. Sign up to Afternoon Update: Election 2025 Free daily newsletterOur Australian afternoon update breaks down the key election campaign stories of the day, telling you what’s happening and why it matters He was forbidden from accessing firearms – although the court heard he was not believed to possess any. The man remained under police guard in hospital with the matter due back in court on 6 September. Read morePolice were called to the family home at about 1am on Sunday were taken to hospital where they later died A five-month-old baby girl was found dead inside the home The children’s 29-year-old mother was taken to hospital and had since been discharged seven and 11 – and a nine-year-old girl were also taken to hospital after the fire A man is under police guard in hospital after a fire ripped through a western Sydney home where seven children and a woman were present A man is in custody after a fatal house fire ravaged a western Sydney home on Sunday morning emergency services were called to Freeman Street in Lalor Park following reports of a house fire one nine-year-old girl and three boys aged 11 They were taken to Westmead hospital in a stable condition were treated at the scene by NSW Ambulance paramedic and taken to Westmead Hospital in a critical condition Fire and Rescue NSW worked on extinguishing the flamed and found another child The three children are yet to be formally identified A 29-year-old woman was also taken to hospital for smoke inhalation Officers arrested a 28-year-old man at the scene He was treated for smoke inhalation and remains in hospital under police guard NSW Police spokesperson Jason Pietruszka  told media at a press conference the efforts of emergency services to gain access to the property were "frustrated" by the 28-year-old man "He was known to people within that premises he is currently at hospital being treated for injuries related to the fire," Officer Pietruszka said Detective Superintendent and NSW  Homicide Squad Commander Daniel Doherty said the matter was being treated as a "multiple homicide" "It's quite unimaginable how the family are coping with this at the moment," Supt Doherty said "Homicide Squad detectives have taken carriage of the matter and are treating this as a domestic related multiple homicide "The 28-year-old man is currently in police guard at hospital he is in an induced coma at the moment being treated for smoke inhalation and other medical issues related to the fire." Supt Doherty said an investigation would take some weeks to determine what happened but it appeared the 28-year-old man was responsible for the multiple loss of young lives "We hope that the community come together and galvanise and help the family and the friends of the ones who lost their lives," he said "There's more good than bad in this world and people will come forward and help us .. Anyone with information about this incident is urged to contact Crime Stoppers: 1800 333 000 or nsw.crimestoppers.com.au A neighbour who charged into a burning house in western Sydney to save four children says he is not a hero and was only following his instincts Jarrod Hawkins said he knew his daughter’s school friend was inside the Lalor Park house which was engulfed in flames when he reached it about 1am on Sunday before anyone else arrived who rescued four children from the burning house in Lalor Park.Credit: Dean Sewell but I kept shoulder-barging it until I smashed it in,” he said He said he followed the sound of a child’s cough through the blinding smoke and grabbed a girl and carried her out on to the footpath before re-entering the Freeman Street house three more times to rescue three of her brothers The four children sat on the footpath in shock after his rescue efforts whom Hawkins also then helped emergency services pull from the house Three other children died as result of the fire – two boys aged 3 and 6 and a 10-month old baby girl whose body was found when the flames were extinguished Emergency services personnel at the house on Monday morning.Credit: Kate Geraghty The children’s father allegedly set the house on fire after attacking his de facto partner and tried to barricade his family inside as it burnt dragging them back in as neighbours and first responders tried to save them The 28-year-old man was arrested and remains in an induced coma under police guard in Westmead Hospital were taken to Westmead Hospital in a stable condition No members of the family can be identified for legal reasons who lives across the road from the blackened home said he jumped up and ran outside when he heard strange noises on Sunday morning Candle and flower tributes have been placed around a power pole in Freeman Street for the three children killed in an alleged domestic homicide.Credit: Kate Geraghty He said police and firefighters arrived after he had saved four of the children Hawkins rushed to the back of the house and helped drag the adults outside Emergency services then took over the rescue Hawkins escaped with cuts to his feet from broken glass Neighbours called him a hero and credited him with saving the lives of four children I just reacted with what I could do,” he said Police have been speaking to the friends and neighbours of the affected family to gain an insight into the father’s behaviour over the past few weeks as they try to determine how and why he allegedly turned to murder with few warning signs “He seemed very chaotic,” one friend of the family said of an interaction he had with the father last week recalled seeing the father struggling to get his children’s lunch and schoolbags organised as he took them to school He said the father seemed overwhelmed and frustrated by the domestic work of raising seven children Neighbours said the couple had been fighting particularly following the birth of their youngest child last year “They weren’t close to their own families and were doing it tough Sources say one of the children pulled from the home told rescuers their father had attacked their mother during a fight late on Saturday night More flower tributes at Freeman Street after the house fire and a photo of the couple.Credit: Kate Geraghty A neighbour also claimed the father had been driving “erratically” down the street in the people-mover vehicle that remained parked outside the burnt home on Sunday It’s not known who made a call to police last week that prompted officers to carry out a welfare check on the family The family told police they did not need assistance appears to be the only recent interaction with officers and the only sign something was amiss on Freeman Street The father’s legal history is years old and related to tax and traffic according to documents seen by this masthead More than a dozen flower bouquets were perched around a power pole opposite the home on Monday NSW Fire and Rescue investigate inside the burnt-out home in Lalor Park.Credit: Kate Geraghty Three candles sat in a line featuring photos and captions of “Saint Charbel” and “St Michael the Archangel” One note read “May you rest in peace sweet innocent children You are all in our hearts & thoughts.” the 29-year-old mother remained in a stable condition Sources not authorised to speak publicly said she was aware of what had happened to her children The father remained in an induced coma under police guard having been treated for burns and smoke inhalation One neighbour who did not want to be named for privacy reasons said the father didn’t say much but often looked “angry” and would regularly stand on the front yard staring out into the distance and wearing shorts on cold winter nights “He looked angry and white like a ghost,” he said adding he would pay the father to mow his lawn but he “never said much and just took the money” He said he had heard the occasional fight at the home but most of the time the family were “quiet and kept to themselves” Police sources said one of the children allegedly told rescuers “dad tried to kill us” as he allegedly attempted to drag some of them back into the home as they ran for their lives Premier Chris Minns said the “horrifying and senseless act” would leave a “deep wound” in the state of NSW “These children deserved a loving home with safety and security If you or someone you know is affected by sexual assault Jarrod Hawkins said he knew his daughter\\u2019s school friend was inside the Lalor Park house but I kept shoulder-barging it until I smashed it in,\\u201D he said but I knew the daughter was inside.\\u201D He said he followed the sound of a child\\u2019s cough through the blinding smoke and grabbed a girl and carried her out on to the footpath Three other children died as result of the fire \\u2013 two boys aged 3 and 6 The children\\u2019s father allegedly set the house on fire after attacking his de facto partner and tried to barricade his family inside as it burnt I just reacted with what I could do,\\u201D he said \\u201CHe definitely is a hero,\\u201D she said \\u201CNo one else would have done that.\\u201D Police have been speaking to the friends and neighbours of the affected family to gain an insight into the father\\u2019s behaviour over the past few weeks as they try to determine how and why he allegedly turned to murder with few warning signs \\u201CHe seemed very chaotic,\\u201D one friend of the family said of an interaction he had with the father last week recalled seeing the father struggling to get his children\\u2019s lunch and schoolbags organised as he took them to school \\u201CThey weren\\u2019t close to their own families and were doing it tough A neighbour also claimed the father had been driving \\u201Cerratically\\u201D down the street in the people-mover vehicle that remained parked outside the burnt home on Sunday It\\u2019s not known who made a call to police last week that prompted officers to carry out a welfare check on the family The father\\u2019s legal history is years old and related to tax and traffic Three candles sat in a line featuring photos and captions of \\u201CSaint Charbel\\u201D and \\u201CSt Michael the Archangel\\u201D One note read \\u201CMay you rest in peace sweet innocent children You are all in our hearts & thoughts.\\u201D One neighbour who did not want to be named for privacy reasons said the father didn\\u2019t say much but often looked \\u201Cangry\\u201D and would regularly stand on the front yard \\u201CHe looked angry and white like a ghost,\\u201D he said adding he would pay the father to mow his lawn but he \\u201Cnever said much and just took the money\\u201D but most of the time the family were \\u201Cquiet and kept to themselves\\u201D Police sources said one of the children allegedly told rescuers \\u201Cdad tried to kill us\\u201D as he allegedly attempted to drag some of them back into the home as they ran for their lives Premier Chris Minns said the \\u201Chorrifying and senseless act\\u201D would leave a \\u201Cdeep wound\\u201D in the state of NSW \\u201CThese children deserved a loving home with safety and security Police believe a father set fire to his Sydney home with his family inside – dragging his own children back into the inferno while fighting off neighbours and rescuers – in a horrific “domestic homicide” that claimed three young lives One of the surviving children allegedly told rescuers “Dad tried to kill us” and described fighting to break free of their father’s grip to save their siblings from the flames Emergency services rushed to Freeman Street in Lalor Park following reports of a house on fire at 1am on Sunday The fire claimed the lives of a baby girl and two boys aged three and six Police have allegedly been told the father attacked his de facto partner before setting the house ablaze and trapping the family inside and the couple who lived in the house.Credit: Dion Georgopoulos allegedly fought against the man to try to save their siblings but was attacked and pinned down “Dad tried to kill us,” the child later told rescuers A heroic neighbour rushed in to attempt to save the children before police and firefighters arrived But the 28-year-old father allegedly fought them off as well while screaming “leave me here to die” Police and forensics attend the scene after three children died in a house fire on Freeman Street in Lalor Park.Credit: Dion Georgopoulos “I can confirm during police attempts to get into the property those efforts were frustrated by a male inside,” acting Superintendent Jason Pietruszka said the man allegedly attempted to drag the children back into the burning home police and sources close to the family allege The man was detained at the scene and rushed to hospital with burns and smoke inhalation He is under arrest and remains in an induced coma Firefighters found the body of the 10-month-old girl only after extinguishing the blaze The body was removed on Sunday afternoon as forensic investigators picked through the wreckage A silver people-mover van sat in the driveway behind police tape at the home.Credit: TNV “It does appear that the 28-year-old man is responsible for multiple deaths of young lives that have been tragically taken away,” homicide squad commander Danny Doherty said “This is horrifying and senseless,” said NSW Premier Chris Minns “These children deserved love and protection and a caring home Our love and thoughts are with the surviving family members “NSW will support them for as long as necessary as they seek to recover from this unfathomable event Our thoughts are also with the emergency service workers who fought to save lives last night and who will also be recovering in their own way after a horrible night.” The mother’s online profiles are filled with adoring photographs of the children; “Love our babies” next to a sparkling heart “happy birthday our boy” with a boy opening a gift “family bond like no other” and a collage of smiling faces The scene at Lalor Park early on Sunday morning.Credit: TNV “It’s completely and utterly devastating for people that know the family that go to school with the other children that live within there,” Pietruszka said A neighbour said that he had spent time with the alleged killer late last week and noticed he seemed emotional and angry Three of the child victims of what police are investigating as a possible domestic homicide The couple at the centre of the tragedy had been fighting but it was beyond shocking to think it would end with three dead said he had known the mother his entire life and was close with the neighbour who rushed in to confront the alleged killer he deserves a bloody medal,” the friend said Police confirmed the accused father has no notable criminal history no apprehended violence orders and no ongoing court matters officers had visited the home for a “welfare check” last week The family had instructed police they were fine and did not need any assistance One neighbour said he raced outside after his elderly father saw the home engulfed in flames “I’m assuming it wasn’t in the roof because it was just coming out the front window,” a neighbour said recalling the blaze He didn’t realise there were children trapped inside Fire and police investigators at the brick home on Freeman Street “I wouldn’t have stood around like an idiot; I would have bolted across there.” Others at the scene recalled the man walking his children to school particularly for anyone with kids,” one resident said Both windows of the home looking out over the street were blown open revealing an interior completely gutted and blackened by fire Police expect to charge the father once he wakes from his coma If you or someone you know is affected by sexual assault, domestic or family violence, call 1800RESPECT on 1800 737 732. Crisis support is available from Lifeline on 13 11 14 The ages of the children have been updated Police believe a father set fire to his Sydney home with his family inside \\u2013 dragging his own children back into the inferno while fighting off neighbours and rescuers \\u2013 in a horrific \\u201Cdomestic homicide\\u201D that claimed three young lives \\u201CDad tried to kill us\\u201D and described fighting to break free of their father\\u2019s grip to save their siblings from the flames \\u201CDad tried to kill us,\\u201D the child later told rescuers But the 28-year-old father allegedly fought them off as well while screaming \\u201Cleave me here to die\\u201D \\u201CI can confirm during police attempts to get into the property those efforts were frustrated by a male inside,\\u201D acting Superintendent Jason Pietruszka said \\u201CIt does appear that the 28-year-old man is responsible for multiple deaths of young lives that have been tragically taken away,\\u201D homicide squad commander Danny Doherty said \\u201CThis is horrifying and senseless,\\u201D said NSW Premier Chris Minns \\u201CThese children deserved love and protection and a caring home \\u201CNSW will support them for as long as necessary and who will also be recovering in their own way after a horrible night.\\u201D The mother\\u2019s online profiles are filled with adoring photographs of the children; \\u201CLove our babies\\u201D next to a sparkling heart \\u201Chappy birthday our boy\\u201D with a boy opening a gift \\u201Cfamily bond like no other\\u201D and a collage of smiling faces \\u201CIt\\u2019s completely and utterly devastating for people that know the family that go to school with the other children that live within there,\\u201D Pietruszka said This will have a long-lasting impact.\\u201D not his usual happy self,\\u201D the man said he deserves a bloody medal,\\u201D the friend said officers had visited the home for a \\u201Cwelfare check\\u201D last week \\u201CI\\u2019m assuming it wasn\\u2019t in the roof because it was just coming out the front window,\\u201D a neighbour said recalling the blaze He didn\\u2019t realise there were children trapped inside \\u201CI\\u2019m just a bit shocked now that I .. \\u201CI wouldn\\u2019t have stood around like an idiot; I would have bolted across there.\\u201D particularly for anyone with kids,\\u201D one resident said Crisis support is available from on 13 11 14 For information directly relating to bushfires please call the Bush Fire Information Line on 1800 679 737 or visit the NSW Rural Fire Service Website here. [external link] We responded to over 150,000 incidents in 2023-24 The incidents displayed below are note-worthy incidents that have been published as media releases or tweets Details about incidents may change and should not be used as emergency information and/or advice North Parramatta | The fire at Dunlop Street, North Parramatta has been contained but is expected to smoulder through the morning. Because there may be smoke in the area, residents and businesses in the vicinity are advised to keep doors, windows, and vents closed. View on X [external link] Fire and Rescue NSW acknowledges Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people as the Traditional Custodians of the land and acknowledges and pays respect to their Elders A little girl’s face painted as a sparkly unicorn A birthday boy beaming over his Thomas the Tank Engine train set A Santa photo of the kind that’s familiar to every parent tell the story of a mother who loves her children “Family,” she writes beneath her babies’ faces Members of the Lalor Park family in a photo posted by the mother on social media.Credit: after their father allegedly set the house alight after a fight with their mother blocking their escape and hauling them back into the inferno as they tried to flee “Dad tried to kill us,” survivors told the neighbours who ran to their rescue fighting the flames to do what their own father wouldn’t details began to emerge about the increasingly aggressive and erratic behaviour of that 28-year-old father filicide – the murder of one’s child – is the second-most common type of domestic homicide in Australia remained in hospital until Tuesday afternoon sedated and in shock as the horror of her loss came into focus she was accompanied by police as she read the many cards of condolences left outside the home that will never be the same Much of the Lalor Park house is in charred ruins following the blaze in the early hours of Sunday A colourful baby walker sits intact in the garden “This is a horrifying and senseless act … that’s quite rightly outraged the entire state,” said Premier Chris Minns Detectives began piecing together what they could about the weeks leading up to the alleged murders – the second filicide in NSW in as many months, after a two-year-old was killed by his father in the Northern Rivers in May during a custody visit The father and alleged murderer from Lalor Park with one of the children.Credit: In that case there was an apprehended domestic violence order who is in an induced coma and under police guard Police did a welfare check last week but would not say who called them; it was not neighbours nor the children But neighbours and friends say the father had been behaving erratically of late One friend said he had been “very chaotic” while he was dropping the older siblings at their local public school and appeared aggressive and angry with the children A neighbour saw him in their people-mover van He struggled with the workload from the family One neighbour said he used to pay the father $50 to mow the lawn Another said he’d often stand in the front yard wearing shorts impervious to the cold with skin “like a ghost” The man shared many of the characteristics raised this month by Australia’s National Research Organisation for Women’s Safety (ANROWS) which this month released the most comprehensive snapshot of filicide a crime that claimed almost 140 young Australian lives between 2010 and 2018 More than half did not have full-time work and were noted to be experiencing mental health issues at the time of the murders In three-quarters of cases there was no evidence of pre-planning Three in five families had been in contact with child protection services (it is not known if this family was among them) and while many perpetrators had interacted with police the contact was often in the distant past (this alleged offender only had contact with the legal system over tax and traffic matters) Many families had also had recent contact with health and education services Almost one-third of victims were less than a year old 69 per cent died in their first five months they rely so heavily on caregivers,” said ANROWS chief executive Tessa Boyd-Caine One veteran police specialist told the researchers that they had often been involved in cases involving the death of a baby in the months after its birth The challenges of those months could exacerbate pre-existing problems the challenges and impacts on a person’s conduct … and general coping mechanisms may be intensified if there is existing DFV [domestic and family violence] in the relationship,” the officer told the researchers Boyd-Caine said the report showed that health and education services were key to identifying and alerting others to the warning signs “There’s good evidence about using the places people trust,” she said “These are the points of connection [with families] where we build an understanding of how to check if someone is safe and what can you do about it if they’re not.” The members of the family cannot be identified for legal reasons A little girl\\u2019s face painted as a sparkly unicorn A Santa photo of the kind that\\u2019s familiar to every parent \\u201CFamily,\\u201D she writes beneath her babies\\u2019 faces Three of her seven children \\u2013 two boys \\u201CDad tried to kill us,\\u201D survivors told the neighbours who ran to their rescue fighting the flames to do what their own father wouldn\\u2019t filicide \\u2013 the murder of one\\u2019s child \\u2013 is the second-most common type of domestic homicide in Australia The four surviving children \\u2013 three boys and a nine-year-old girl \\u2013 were there \\u201CThis is a horrifying and senseless act \\u2026 that\\u2019s quite rightly outraged the entire state,\\u201D said Premier Chris Minns Detectives began piecing together what they could about the weeks leading up to the alleged murders \\u2013 the second filicide in NSW in as many months after in the Northern Rivers in May during a custody visit One friend said he had been \\u201Cvery chaotic\\u201D while he was dropping the older siblings at their local public school Another said he\\u2019d often stand in the front yard wearing shorts impervious to the cold with skin \\u201Clike a ghost\\u201D The man shared many of the characteristics raised this month by Australia\\u2019s National Research Organisation for Women\\u2019s Safety (ANROWS) \\u201CThey\\u2019re at their most vulnerable they rely so heavily on caregivers,\\u201D said ANROWS chief executive Tessa Boyd-Caine \\u201CWhile not diminishing responsibility the challenges and impacts on a person\\u2019s conduct \\u2026 and general coping mechanisms may be intensified if there is existing DFV [domestic and family violence] in the relationship,\\u201D the officer told the researchers \\u201CThere\\u2019s good evidence about using the places people trust,\\u201D she said \\u201CThese are the points of connection [with families] and what can you do about it if they\\u2019re not.\\u201D Foundation tile unveiled for Phase 2 of Sri Om Care’s Assisted Living Project in Western Sydney a 2022 election promise made by Labor towards ethno-specific aged care came to fruition As the foundation tile was unveiled for Sri Om Care’s Assisted Living Project in Western Sydney with funds to go for the Sydney-based social enterprise led by Mr Sri Om Care will build a 20-bed facility at Lalor Park for the region’s South Asian seniors providing them the comfort of culturally-appropriate food culture and companionship in their retirement years The event marked a milestone not only for Sri Om Care but also for the ageing population of migrants from the Indian background among the fastest growing migrant groups in this country The Indian High Commissioner in Australia Mr Gopal Baglay led the dignitaries who attended including Lord Mayor of Parramatta Pierre Esber Ms Donna Davis (NSW MP for Parramatta representing the NSW Premier and NSW Multicultural Minister) Councillor Reena Jethi of the Hills Shire Council and Hindu spiritual leader Sri Om Adi Sakthiyendra Swamigal Devi Ma in whose name Jayaraman’s organisation is founded “I am incredibly honoured to have helped deliver Sri Om Care for the local community in Western Sydney,” Dr Charlton said “The challenges between integration and tradition in the migrant communities are many and this struggle is more prominent for people in the later years Ethno-specific services go a long way in providing enhanced connectedness and mental wellbeing for older people from diverse backgrounds.” explained that this project was supported by Australian Government and developed under the Commonwealth guidelines and fit-out a Transitional Care/Respite Care Service within the precinct of Western Sydney Gateway (Lalor Park) close to amenities and transport which is expected to be operative by June 2025 will accommodate 20 residents and include space for staff culturally appropriate and responsive care to the South Asian heritage community.” A detailed list of services, based on individual needs is available here. the occasion marked the realisation of a dream that began as far back as the 1990s as he observed his own parents struggle to adapt in their later years He launched Sri Om Care in the early 2000s to address the needs of a growing South Asian senior population In 2007 the organisation launched its first centre-based Respite program to promote inclusion and decrease social isolation among the seniors of the sub-continent Sri Om Care has expanded its services to include retirement living NDIS disability services and Assisted Living and Respite Care packages (phase one and two) the chairperson of the organisation Sri Om Adisakthyendra Swamigal (Devi Ma) explained the mission statement of Sri Om Care – ‘Humanity Leads Divinity’: service to humanity was the foundation on which all the activities of Sri Om Care were designed Elaborating on the growth of the organisation over the past 18 years over 900 seniors have been benefiting from person-centered care across various suburbs in Sydney Over 200 frail aged seniors are receiving in-home care Flexible / Short-Term Restorative / Transition care We remain dedicated to offering a positive alternative to traditional residential care.” Indian High commissioner drew parallels between the journey of the Indian diaspora in Australia and the journey of Sri Om Care that is gearing up to meet the social cultural and language needs of the growing diaspora he quoted from the Indian scriptures when he said the hall mark of any civilisation Other community leaders who spoke on this occasion congratulated Sri Om Care on the remarkable milestones it has achieved in providing culturally appropriate aged care services and the positive impact it has had on individuals and families Read More: Labor commits $6 million to ethno-specific aged care Indian Link empowers and elevates the South Asian community in Australia by telling their stories and unpacking their experiences in a nuanced and unbiased manner Blacktown is a modern bustling city of 54 residential suburbs making it the largest city by population in NSW.  Click here for a new map of Blacktown City.(JPG, 6MB) Acacia Gardens 2763. Formerly a part of Quakers Hill, the name was chosen to reflect the rural quality of the suburb. It was formally recognized as a suburb in 1996. (Source: Pictorial History, Blacktown & District. Alan Sharpe, 2000)   Angus 2765.  Named after a former Shire President of Blacktown Shire Council, 1917-1920.  Arndell Park 2148. Named after Thomas Arndell who was appointed Assistant Surgeon to the settlement in NSW and arrived with the First Fleet. He later joined Captain Tench in 1789 in the journey of exploration from Prospect Hill to the Nepean River. (Source: Pictorial History, Blacktown & District. Alan Sharpe, 2000)   Colebee 2761. Colebee was the first Aboriginal person in Australia to be given a land grant by Governor Lachlan Macquarie in 1819. The grant was promised to two significant Aboriginal figures, Colebee and Nurragingy, however only Colebee's name appeared on the grant. The Colebee Centre at Nurragingy Reserve is also named after him. (Source: Where the country became the city. Blacktown and District Historical Society 1996)  Dean Park 2761. Named after the Dean family. William Dean (1776 or 1778/79-1847) was granted 200 acres (81 ha) beside Eastern Creek and the family owned the Bush Inn on the Western Highway. (Source: Eastern Creek - The Early Days. Margaret Lovely and George Nicolaidis)   Doonside 2767. Early settler Robert Crawford (1799—1848) named his 2,000 acre (approx. 810 ha) grant after his home town in Scotland. (Source: Pictorial History, Blacktown and District. Alan Sharpe, 2000)   Eastern Creek 2766. The eastern branch of South Creek became known as Eastern Creek. The village that grew where the road crossed the creek became known as Eastern Creek. (Source: Pictorial History, Blacktown and District. Alan Sharpe, 2000)   Emerton 2770. Named after William Frederick Emert, a native of Siglingen, Germany, who arrived in Australia in 1853. In 1861 he became a storekeeper and postmaster in Mount Druitt. (Source: Pictorial History, Blacktown and District. Alan Sharpe, 2000)  Glendenning 2761. Named after William Glendenning a butcher who, in the early 1900s, had a shop in Jersey Road, Plumpton and who slaughtered stock in Lamb Street, near Owen Street. (Source: Pictorial History, Blacktown and District. Alan Sharpe, 2000)  Glenwood 2768. Named for an historic property in the area - Glenwood Park House , named Glenwood Park in the 1940s, but previously known as Norfolk Vale (1846 — 1882), and Sorrento (1882 — 1941). It was formally recognized as a suburb in 1996. (Source: Pictorial History, Blacktown and District. Alan Sharpe, 2000)   Grantham Farm 2765. Grantham Farm was named after the Grantham Farm Estate which was a subdivision of the original land of ‘Riverstone’ in 1810. It contained a 6 bedroom cottage and other outbuildings as well as vineyards. Hassall Grove 2761. Named after Mr Rowland Hassall (1768-1820), who was associated with the area as a missionary preacher. He also acted as agent for the estates of Phillip Parker King and managed Samuel Marsden's properties in his absence. (Source: Blacktown City Libraries Local History Section and Hassall Family History Association, Inc.)  Hebersham 2770. In 1829 the Trustees of the Clergy and Schools Lands in New South Wales planned to establish a village named Hebersham on the Western Highway, west of Eastern Creek. This never happened, but the name was used for this present day suburb. Hebersham was coined to honour Bishop Heber of Calcutta whose diocese included New South Wales. (Source: Pictorial History, Blacktown and District. Alan Sharpe, 2000)   Huntingwood 2148. This composite name was chosen because the first English-style hunting is said to have taken place here and the "Woods Estate", owned by the Woods family for nearly a century, is located within the suburb. (Source: Pictorial History, Blacktown and District. Alan Sharpe, 2000)  Kellyville Ridge 2155. Kellyville Ridge was originally part of Kellyville (named after land owner Hugh Kelly in 1884 who operated a coach-stop inn on Windsor Road) and was named after a geographical ridge that runs through the suburb. (Source: Blacktown City Libraries Local History Section)   Kings Langley 2147. Early settler Matthew Pearce (1762—1831) called his 130 acre (53 ha) grant after King's Langley Manor House in Hertfordshire, England, where he was born. Pearce's grant was situated on the opposite side of the Windsor Road to the present day suburb of Kings Langley, which was officially named a 'neighbourhood' in 1976. (Source: Where the country became the city. Blacktown and District Historical Society 1996)   Kings Park 2148. Originally this suburb formed part of Marayong, but with increased residential development, residents wanted a separate identity, and the developer's estate name was adopted in 1987. (Source: Blacktown City Libraries Local History Section)   Lalor Park 2147. Named after the Lalor family, who owned property in the area. Two members of the family (George and Robert) were Councillors on Blacktown Shire Council, George serving as Shire President on two occasions, 1921-1923 and 1928.The land was resumed for public housing and George's daughter, Miss Louise Lalor in 1957 suggested the area be called Lalor Park. (Source: The Seven Hills, A Village Divided, A Suburb United. Jack Brook 2004)   Lethbridge Park 2770. Named after the Lethbridge family. Robert Copeland Lethbridge settled at Werrington on a land grant made on 1 January 1806. (Source: Blacktown City Libraries Local History Section)   Marayong 2148. Name adopted by the Railway Department in 1922, the word is Aboriginal for "emu". (Source: Pictorial History, Blacktown and District. Alan Sharpe, 2000)   Marsden Park 2765. Named for Samuel Marsden (1764—1838), Church of England Minister and landowner in the area. (Source: Blacktown City Libraries Local History Section)   Melonba 2765. Darug name for a type of wattle found in the area. Minchinbury 2770. Minchinbury is named after Captain William Minchin who was granted land (1,000 acres) west of Rooty Hill in 1819 and named it Minchinbury. After Minchin's death the Estate was sold and later bought by Dr Charles Mackay who introduced grape vines for winemaking. (Source: Where the country became the city. Blacktown and District Historical Society 1996)   Mount Druitt 2770. Major George Druitt (1775—1842) was granted 2,000 acres (810 ha) in the area by Governor Macquarie. He named his grant Mount Druitt. (Source: A History of the Manse and Mount Druitt Estate, G Nicolaidis 30/12/90)   Nirimba Fields 2763. Nirimba is the Darug word for “Pelican”. It represents the former RAAF site. The area was commissioned by the Royal Australian Navy (RAN) in 1953 and named HMAS Nirimba. It was used by the RAN until 1994. The site was redeveloped and the Nirimba Education Precinct was named in 1995. Oakhurst 2761. This suburb was developed by Landcom in 1981 when zoning changed from rural to residential. Prior to the name change, it was a part of Plumpton. Landcom named the development the Oakhurst Estate, and the estate name was adopted as the suburb name. It is believed that the "Oaks" house provided part of the name, with 'hurst' (meaning hillock or wooded eminence) being added. (Source: Blacktown City Libraries Local History Section)   Parklea 2768.  Parklea dates back to the early 1900s and is believed to be named by subdividers at the time. (Source: Blacktown City Libraries Local History Section)  Prospect 2148. Prospect Hill was discovered by Captain Arthur Phillip in April 1788 on one of his first explorations in the colony. Phillip named it "Belle Vue", later anglicized to Prospect Hill and then shortened to Prospect. (Source: Where the country became the city. Blacktown and District Historical Society 1996)  Quakers Hill 2763. The railway siding in this area was known as Douglas' Siding. When subdivision of large properties was undertaken in the early 1900s, the developers named the suburb Quakers Hill, a name that had been associated with the hill since 1806. (Source: Where the country became the city. Blacktown and District Historical Society 1996) Richards 2765. Named after Benjamin Richards who established the Riverstone Meatworks in 1878. Riverstone 2765.  Lieutenant-Colonel Maurice Charles O'Connell was granted 2,500 acres (1010 ha) by Governor Macquarie in this area. He named his grant "Riverston" after his birthplace in Ireland. When the Railway Station was established, an "e" was added to the name. (Source: Riverstone - Schofields, A Community Survey. Garrett Barry, et al 1980).  Ropes Crossing 2760.  Named after Anthony Rope, a convict who arrived with the First Fleet in 1788. He married a female convict, Elizabeth Pulley in May 1788. Rope learned bricklaying whilst working at Brickfields near Sydney and later moved to the Nepean District. In 1806, the Ropes were renting 48 acres on the Nepean and by 1820 had been granted 20 acres in the district. Anthony Rope died at Castlereagh in 1843. (Source: Blacktown City Libraries Local History Section)  Rouse Hill 2155. Rouse Hill is thought to be named after Richard Rouse who received a land grant in 1813 and built a house in the area. (Source: Blacktown City Libraries Local History Section)  Schofields 2762.  Named for early settler John Schofield, who had a square mile (259 ha) of land. Schofield's Siding was built on this land in 1870. (Source: Pictorial History, Blacktown and District. Alan Sharpe, 2000) Shanes Park 2760. John Harris (1754 -1838) came to Australia on the Second Fleet in 1790 and was appointed Chief Surgeon of the colony. By the turn of the century, he owned 315 acres of land, and had built Experiment Farm Cottage. The suburb of Harris Park is named for him. Among his many landholdings included a property on South Creek known as Shane's Park Estate. The suburb takes its name from his property. (Source: Pictorial History, Blacktown and District. Alan Sharpe, 2000)  Stanhope Gardens 2768. John Hillas (1768-1837) arrived in Australia in 1801 and received two land grants on the Windsor Road. One of these he named "Stanhope Farm", and established an inn, the "Stanhope Arms". Part of the name remained, with the Peel family calling their dairy farm "Stanhope Park". The suburb name reflects these early properties. It was formally recognized as a suburb in 1996. (Source: Pictorial History, Blacktown and District. Alan Sharpe, 2000) St Marys (part of) 2760. Initially known as South Creek, it takes its name from the church St Mary Magdalene on the Great Western Highway. Once the church was built, the names South Creek and St Marys were used interchangeably - the St Marys Post Office opened in 1840 but it was not until 1885 that the railway station became St Marys. (Source: Dharug and Dungaree: the history of Penrith and St Marys to 1860, Robert Murray and Kate White, 1988)  Tallawong 2762. Tallawong is named after the metro station located within the new suburb boundary. Tallawong is also the Darug word for Apple Gum Tree. The Ponds 2769. This suburb in Blacktown, south of Windsor Rd, between Kellyville Ridge and Stanhope Gardens, has been named after the waterways flowing through the area, including Second Ponds Creek. The name was proposed in 2006 and gazetted in January 2007. The first lots sold in the area in July 2007. (Source: Blacktown City Libraries Local History Section)  Tregear 2770. John King Lethbridge bought land in the area and built a fine homestead, which he called "Tregeare" in 1871 after his great uncle's property in England - now known as Tregear. (Source: Blacktown City Libraries Local History Section) Vineyard (part of) 2765. Was originally part of Windsor's winegrowing district and takes its name from the surrounding vineyards.  (Source: Pictorial History, Blacktown and District. Alan Sharpe, 2000)   Whalan 2770. Named for James Whalan, who was granted 300 acres (122 ha) at Mount Druitt in 1831. (Source: Pictorial History, Blacktown and District. Alan Sharpe, 2000)  Willmot 2770. Named after Thomas Willmot (1851—1938) who was elected the first President of the Blacktown Shire Council. He was President on a number of occasions, 1906—1910 and 1912 — 1913. (Source: Blacktown City Libraries Local History Section)   Woodcroft 2767. This suburb is based on the development by L J Hooker of the former State Brickworks. L J Hooker purchased the property in 1989, and after rezoning, residential construction commenced in 1992. It was formally recognized as a suburb in 1996.  (Source: Pictorial History, Blacktown and District. Alan Sharpe, 2000)  We acknowledge the Dharug people as the original custodians of the land on which Blacktown City is built. We pay our respects to Elders past and present, and acknowledge the Aboriginal people for their custodianship of this land. We will work together for a united City that respects this land and values the contribution to our community and culture of all people of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander heritage.  The three-year-old was killed by a shot to her neck from a sawn-off shotgun. (Supplied) Link copiedShareShare articleThe father of a western Sydney toddler who was fatally shot in the neck on Sunday night cried out for God and clutched his head in his hands during a brief court appearance. The 43-year-old Arncliffe man, who cannot be identified for legal reasons, rocked back and forth, wept and screamed in both English and Arabic when he appeared briefly in Blacktown Local Court on Friday. "I'm so sorry Allah, I'm so sorry," he said as he wept in the dock, dressed in prison greens. Three female relatives who were in the public gallery were also weeping and at one stage they were escorted from the courtroom when they tried to walk up to the dock. A woman is led away from the Lalor Park home where the toddler was shot dead. (ABC News) The man was charged with possessing an illegal and unregistered firearm and breaching an apprehended domestic violence order when his three-year-old daughter was fatally shot in the neck at her mother's Lalor Park home on Sunday night. Police are investigating whether the child accidentally fired the weapon herself or whether her young brothers may have been involved. The man's barrister, William Barber, told the court his client was "deeply traumatised" by his daughter's death. "He's in a very cruel state indeed, your honour," Mr Barber told the court. "He's losing his mind, to put it bluntly, he's in a very, very bad way." Mr Barber told the court the man takes medication for depression but had not had a single dose since he was taken into custody on Sunday night. He asked the court to order a full psychiatric assessment and asked the magistrate to refer the man to the hospital ward at Long Bay prison. Outside court, Mr Barber told journalists he was deeply concerned for his client's welfare. "He is absolutely beside himself, he can't think, he can't talk and the anguish that he exhibits is terrible. "He certainly needs, not only to be admitted to hospital as soon as possible, but to get the appropriate medical treatment and medication." The man did not apply for bail and will remain in custody. His case will return to court on November 3. A 3-year-old girl (right), with her older brothers. The girl died from gunshot wounds on August 27. (Supplied: Facebook) The father of a young girl shot dead in Sydney's west has been charged with breaching an apprehended violence order and firearm offences was near his former partner's home in Lalor Park on Sunday night when his three-year-old daughter was shot in the neck about 8pm It is unclear exactly how the little girl sustained the single fatal gunshot wound but police are investigating whether she accidentally fired the gun herself It's understood the gun was an unlicensed single-barrel sawn-off shotgun Detectives remained at the Lalor Park house on Monday morning.Credit: Nick Moir The girl was inside the Danny Road house with her mother and three young brothers at the time was charged on Monday with possessing an unregistered and prohibited weapon and failing to take all reasonable precautions to ensure it was safely kept He was also charged with contravening an AVO that banned him from entering any premises where the protected person lives works or attends for the purposes of childcare Quakers Hill Local Area Commander Superintendent Paul Carrett said the girl's parents and siblings were assisting police Forensic police examined the house on Danny Road in Lalor Park after a girl was shot dead.Credit: Nick Moir "The death of a three-year-old child in any circumstances is tragic," he said for police and other emergency services that attend these scenes." Superintendent Carrett highlighted the shooting as a timely reminder for people to keep firearms stored safely Two men sit in the gutter after a girl was shot dead in Lalor Park.Credit: TNV Mr Moussa appeared before Blacktown Local Court on Monday He did not apply for bail and it was formally refused He is scheduled to appear before the same court again on Friday Neighbours described the traumatic scenes that unfolded as horrified relatives emerged from the house screaming and crying on Sunday night "I just heard the gun go off and I came outside to see what was happening," neighbour Mark Tupa said on Monday "The father came out and was screaming and crying I saw another guy leave the house with blood all over his hands." Mr Tupa said the girl's mother came out of the house shortly after "She was just saying it was his fault and he shouldn't have had a gun in the house," he said "I seen these three little boys run out .. they were just crying and screaming for help," Mr Tupa said Footage taken shortly after showed a man sitting in the gutter rocking back and forth and wailing He was later filmed being led to the back of a police van She could also be heard screaming: "Not my baby girl not my baby girl!" and "Rot in hell." A man at the scene was heard shouting: "My niece just died." Emergency services were responding to a report of what the caller said was "a domestic" They had been called to the address in September last year responding to a report of multiple gunshot sounds and yelling Forensic teams spent the night in the house and were working at the scene early on Monday morning Another neighbour said the scene was chaotic with the little girl's mother and father distraught The father of a young girl shot dead in Sydney's west has been charged with breaching an apprehended violence order and firearm offences was near his former partner's home in Lalor Park on Sunday night when his three-year-old daughter was shot in the neck about 8pm It's understood the gun was an unlicensed single-barrel sawn-off shotgun Quakers Hill Local Area Commander Superintendent Paul Carrett said the girl's parents and siblings were assisting police \\\"The death of a three-year-old child in any circumstances is tragic,\\\" he said for police and other emergency services that attend these scenes.\\\" \\\"I just heard the gun go off and I came outside to see what was happening,\\\" neighbour Mark Tupa said on Monday \\\"The father came out and was screaming and crying I saw another guy leave the house with blood all over his hands.\\\" Mr Tupa said the girl's mother came out of the house shortly after \\\"She was just saying it was his fault and he shouldn't have had a gun in the house,\\\" he said \\\"I seen these three little boys run out .. they were just crying and screaming for help,\\\" Mr Tupa said She could also be heard screaming: \\\"Not my baby girl not my baby girl!\\\" and \\\"Rot in hell.\\\" A man at the scene was heard shouting: \\\"My niece just died.\\\" Emergency services were responding to a report of what the caller said was \\\"a domestic\\\" Another neighbour said the scene was chaotic with the little girl's mother and father distraught This Lalor Park property has sold for the area’s new record price HOUSE prices are soaring in a western Sydney suburb where a home has tipped $1 million for the first time The property at 56 Heffron Rd, Lalor Park sold for $1.06 million after four weeks on the market smashing the suburb’s residential record by $95,000 of Harcourts Hills Living — Baulkham Hills said the positive result pointed to growing buyer interest in the area “Lalor Park has had such a bad rap for many years but it’s taken strides towards improvements with a lot of knockdown-rebuilds and many young families moving in,” Mr Agius said CoreLogic data shows the suburb’s median house price is $690,000 up 27.7 per cent over the past three years alone the figure has stayed below Sydney’s pricier median of $990,000 Records reveal there were 115 homes sold in Lalor Park in the 12 months to April The Heffron Rd property was originally housing commission The sellers since extended and renovated the 1960s house two-storey residence featuring high ceilings It incorporates self-contained guest or in-law accommodation on the lower level and also has a covered entertainment area accessed via bi-fold doors SIGN UP FOR THE NSW REAL ESTATE NEWSLETTER The agent said the unrecognisable home was snapped up by an extended family from North Rocks “You would never be able to buy a six-bedroom house like this in North Rocks for $1.06 million so for them it was value for money,” Mr Agius said third parties have written and supplied the content and we are not responsible for it completeness or reliability of the information nor do we accept any liability or responsibility arising in any way from omissions or errors contained in the content We do not recommend sponsored lenders or loan products and we cannot introduce you to sponsored lenders We strongly recommend that you obtain independent advice before you act on the content realestate.com.au is owned and operated by ASX-listed REA Group Ltd (REA:ASX) © REA Group Ltd. By accessing or using our platform, you agree to our Terms of Use. ABC News News HomeWoman dies in suspicious house fire in Lalor ParkShare Woman dies in suspicious house fire in Lalor ParkTopic:Fires Sniffer dogs were brought in to scour the area around the property. (ABC News) Link copiedShareShare articleHomicide police have been called in to investigate the circumstances surrounding the death of a woman in a house fire at Lalor Park in western Sydney. Neighbours said they tried to help the 42-year-old, whose body was found inside the home on Lucas Road after fire crews were called shortly before 9:00pm on Monday. Karen Taylor, who lives next door to the property, said she rang emergency services. She said was first alerted to the fire by a noise from the house. "Like a scuffle ... [then] like a bang ... pop noise. It could have been a gun ... but it could have been something exploding, too. "I looked out the side window... and the house was on fire" she said. "I ran out and rang the fire brigade. "It was very scary. And, I'm yelling out to triple-0: 'hurry, hurry, hurry... I think there's somebody inside'. Because we heard a 'help help'." She said the flames were as tall as the nearby powerlines. "It was all out the front window. It was just lit up like a big bushfire," she added. When firefighters arrived it took them about 15 minutes to put out the blaze before they could search the property. "They did find a lady that was within the building and she was badly burned," New South Wales Fire and Rescue's Bob McGowan said. Firefighters have yet to pinpoint exactly how the fire began. "We do think that it possibly started in the front of the house but we've got our fire investigators working with police to determine exactly where it started and how it started," he said. Police are treating the fire as suspicious. Firefighters do not yet know how the fire started. (ABC News: Rachel Pupazzoni) "We've got some information from neighbours [that] there may have been someone running from the premises prior to the fire and smoke being seen," Detective Inspector Paul Ticker said. Police sniffer dogs were used at the property. "They were here to detect if there is any accelerant in the fire and we are certainly treating it as suspicious at this stage," Detective Inspector Ticker said Homicide detectives and Blacktown police have begun an investigation and have appealed for anyone who may have information on the fire to come forward. Neighbours in a suburban street where a 67-year-old grandmother and her seven-year-old grandson were stabbed to death on their front lawn have told of their fear of living among ice dealers and addicts. As a makeshift shrine started to fill with flowers outside the home where the horrific attack took place, locals in the street revealed how the one-time military housing precinct on Kennedy Parade in Lalor Park - in Sydney's west - has undergone a sinister transformation. One of the houses in particular in the street is fitted with a padlocked cage door with broken furniture piling up outside - including stools, tables, a couch and an electric heater.   Kennedy Parade's reputation among locals has now focused the nation of the ice crisis, after a 35-year-old man, who is the woman's son and the boy's uncle, allegedly murdered the grandmother and her grandson. On Kennedy Parade, a small hit of ice can be bought for about $100. A relative of the slain pair said the 35-year-old man accused of murdering them had purchased the drug just 100 metres from the family home. One woman described the home as 'a hell-hole where three people have overdosed recently'. Windows are covered with sheets and screens to prevent anyone from looking in, and there are huge holes where it appears the fibro walls have been kicked in. A heavily tattooed neighbour claims to have 'buried her fiancé and father in past few months but wants to move out of the area'. She claims to 'know the dealer and has told police who he is'. Tai, a young mother of two, said she and her husband moved into Kennedy Parade two years ago and were stunned to see and hear drug deals going on next door at all hours of the day. 'We have been here for two years and the wooden house next door used to be a drug dealer's house. Very, very bad,' she told Daily Mail Australia. 'That person has moved now but it used to be very bad... like his customers would knock on his door all the time at 2am. 'We spent six months with him and then he moved to a street just near here, not far away and he made that place look terrible in two weeks. 'The house used to be so bad, inside it was burned everywhere. 'If our children were older we would move somewhere else, because it is not very good for teenagers.'  Another neighbour told Daily Mail Australia she did not wish to be named because she feared retribution from addicts for speaking out. 'I don't want to say much, I told the police I would give a statement but that's all, I don't want some junkie addict coming back some day and do something to us,' she said. The neighbour admitted she and her husband had thought of moving out as they approached retirement but worried now whether that would be possible. 'All the talk about this street now, probably wiped $50,000 off the value of my property. It's not that bad an area really, it's just we can't afford to live anywhere else. We're not snobs but we keep to ourselves,' she said.  The woman added she was angry at perceptions that the street was lined with drug dens, insisting most residents of Kennedy Parade were law-abiding citizens. 'There's been trouble over the years, I know that but 95 per cent of people here are good people,' she said. 'There's only a small number that cause trouble – we don't have a street full of drug dealers like is being said, there are definitely 1 or 2 but it's not full of them.' The neighbour said she knew the 67-year-old grandmother well and described her as a loving family woman. The grandmother's 35-year-old son, who was also the uncle of the dead seven-year-old boy, has been charged over their alleged murders. He appeared in Blacktown Magistrates Court 'I remember her being a really good grandmother, looking after those four kids on her own, I'd see them going for a walk down the street together, all happy,' she said. 'She has had to bring them up from when they were little, two of them are sisters, what can you do as a mother when your own kids are all drug-f*****?' The friend of the grandmother watched on as flowers were delivered throughout the day, a teddy bear with a note to the other children among them. One of the mourners, Maria, was thinking of the siblings. 'I'm sure they will be looked after, I don't know what they could possibly be thinking after seeing that,' she said. 'People are talking about hearing the screaming, it's awful.' One young girl stopped on her way to work to pay her respects. Clutching a bouquet and quivering she placed them carefully against the letter-box. 'I grew up here, I don't live here any more but I get the living with the grandmother thing,' the girl said. Another neighbour of the grandmother, Rodney Rammers, has been living in the area for 20 years and would see the children walk to school every day. 'Insane, it's crazy how a little boy died for nothing, I can't believe it,' he said. The grandmother's daughter, who cannot be named for legal reasons, has remembered her loved ones. 'Mum was a loving, caring person who would go out of her way to help anyone she could. She was mum, my dad, my best friend,' she said. '(My nephew) was so smart, so bright, he had a big life and a big heart.' The daughter also said police need to do more to crack down on the ice problem in the neighbourhood. 'The police say they do everything they can to shut down these ice houses and they do nothing,' she said.  'I would like to see that person who sold the stuff and gave the knife to my brother to be just as accountable as him. 'And now [child services] has come in and taken the kids away and all because of ice. 'My mum is gone, I love her, I miss her and just wish I could have her back.' 'It's like a hell-hole up there, there's been three overdoses.'  M&S cyber attack could take 'months' to fully recover from as 'paranoid' staff resort to sleeping in... We’re sorry, this feature is currently unavailable. We’re working to restore it. Please try again later. Add articles to your saved list and come back to them any time. The owners of the Brewhouse at Lalor Park are selling the property to take advantage of the high demand for residential development land in Sydney's western suburbs. It will remain a pub and has been recently upgraded to cater for the growing population in the area. The Brewhouse at 75 Sackville Street, Lalor Park is being sold through JLL. With building heights tripled and more than $1 billion in approved development applications last year to cater for a residential population surging towards 500,000, the sale is tipped to be keenly contested. The Blacktown area and surrounding districts are seen as the growth zones of metropolitan Sydney. They will be a major beneficiary of the NSW government's $2 billion infrastructure program and the plan to build Sydney's second airport at Badgerys Creek. JLL hotels & hospitality's Sam Handy and John Musca​ have been appointed to sell the pub located adjacent to Blacktown's 'North-East Precinct', which has been rezoned for a mixture of medium- and high-density residential housing. The agents said the tallest building in Blacktown currently stands at eight storeys and this zoning allows for building heights up to 24 storeys, as evidenced by the development of Altitude Tower. Mr Handy said the owners moved an additional six poker machines into the smoking area late last year and the pub's gaming performance has responded, with average turnover and net profit growth of 26.5 per cent in the year to date. "There is scope to move the remaining eight indoor machines into the smoking solution, which will no doubt elevate the pub to a consistent top 100 gaming ranking," Mr Handy said. NSW's best gaming hotels have seen a flurry of sales activity over the past six months, with JLL transacting the Crown Hotel for $32 million and the Macquarie Hotel for $24.5 million. There are currently more than $80 million in "gaming-centric" assets under offer and agreement. Demand for outer suburban pubs is growing as they are not included in the late-night lockout drinking regulations imposed on city pubs. Nearby at North Penrith, Urban Growth is selling final four apartment development sites within its masterplanned community,Thornton. With a collective capacity for about 300 apartments, the sites are fully serviced and development ready. Ray White Commercial NSW will market the properties on behalf of UrbanGrowth NSW. UrbanGrowth NSW head of wholesale projects, Peter Anderson, said the site is set adjacent to Penrith Station and the city centre, and meets a growing demand for a transit oriented, urban lifestyle in Sydney's west. The owners of the Brewhouse at Lalor Park are selling the property to take advantage of the high demand for residential development land in Sydney's western suburbs. They will be a major beneficiary of the NSW government's $2 billion infrastructure program and the plan to build Sydney's second airport at Badgerys Creek. JLL hotels & hospitality's Sam Handy and John Musca\\u200B have been appointed to sell the pub located adjacent to Blacktown's 'North-East Precinct', which has been rezoned for a mixture of medium- and high-density residential housing. Mr Handy said the owners moved an additional six poker machines into the smoking area late last year and the pub's gaming performance has responded, with average turnover and net profit growth of 26.5 per cent in the year to date. \\\"There is scope to move the remaining eight indoor machines into the smoking solution, which will no doubt elevate the pub to a consistent top 100 gaming ranking,\\\" Mr Handy said. NSW's best gaming hotels have seen a flurry of sales activity over the past six months, with JLL transacting the Crown Hotel for $32 million and the Macquarie Hotel for $24.5 million. There are currently more than $80 million in \\\"gaming-centric\\\" assets under offer and agreement. UrbanGrowth NSW head of wholesale projects, Peter Anderson, said the site is set adjacent to Penrith Station and the city centre, and meets a growing demand for a transit oriented, urban lifestyle in Sydney's west. No-one was inside the Lalor Park property when the car smashed into it about 1:00am. (ABC News: Rachel Pupazzoni) Link copiedShareShare articleA man has been taken to hospital after he crashed his car into a house in Sydney's west. Police said no-one was in the house, at Lalor Park, when the car smashed into it about 1:00am. The 19-year-old driver was taken to Westmead Hospital in a serious condition. "Emergency services were called to Hathaway Road at Lalor Park following reports a silver sedan had crashed into a house," a police statement said. It said the driver was "trapped in the vehicle for a short time before he was taken by NSW ambulance paramedics to Westmead Hospital". "No-one was in the house at the time of the incident, but the house suffered serious structural damage from the crash," the statement said. "A crime scene has been established and police from Quakers Hill Local Area Command are investigating the incident." Authorities said there were also concerns the home contained asbestos which would make the task of removing the car more difficult. Demolition hotspots have emerged across Sydney paving the way for new housing as the ongoing and critical demand continues Competition for older homes on big blocks to knock down and replace with duplexes or townhouses has ramped up across the market In a market with a lack of stock and new dwellings Ray White data has revealed the suburbs defying the trend and recording the most demolition approvals in 2022/23 Topping the list is Ermington and Rydalmere followed by other northwest and inner west suburbs of Concord North Ryde Eastwood and the Central Coast suburb of Umina Mr Hoang and his wife Van has a strategy to buy an old house ‘$60m?’: Inside Sydney’s best harbourfront beach house Homes that women prefer over men Ermington – Rydalmere – 84 approved demolitions in 2022/23 Knocking down an old home to build a duplex has been a “challenge” yet rewarding journey for Sydney couple Minh and Van Hoang The Hoangs bought a run down home on 841sq m on Maze Ave in Ryde in 2021 “We had been looking for something we could knock down and develop,” Mr Hoang said “Ryde is a popular location for young families We thought it would be a great investment and option for buyers.” Mr Hoang said it was part of the couple’s investment strategy, with construction of the five bedroom duplex recently completed and now on the market. The Hoang’s bought this old home at 6 Maze Ave Construction has recently finished with the five bedroom duplex for sale However he said the journey came with challenges “It was tough dealing with a lot of wet weather in 2022 We also had supply issues with China closing down,” he said “It has been a challenging journey but it was always going to be Our designer and builder have done a really good job We decided to sell now as the market is showing good signs and Spring is a good time to make the move.” McGrath – Epping’s Wayne Vaughan said new housing was popular in the Ryde and surrounding market He said the Hoang’s duplex has had close to 100 inspection groups after two weeks on the market A new five bedroom duplex at 5 Maple Crescent “There’s a lot of demand for new in this area,” he said “We are all time poor and people want to move in with nothing to do.” Mr Vaughan said Ryde Council had flexible rules around duplex building and understood the need for new properties “We see a lot of buyers coming from apartments on the other side of the river on Rhodes and Wentworth Point,” he said “These new duplexes fit the mould perfectly.” Ray White Group data analyst William Clark said the Sydney demolition data had revealed suburbs with large community developments there’s been a lot of government investment and large infrastructure projects,” he said Before shot of 67 Dorothy St Rydalmere which sold in 2020 for $1.19m A brand new duplex for sale at 67 Dorothy Street “There’s huge development around the foreshore of Ermington and Rydalmere There’s been a lot of investment and that gets matched with residential development “Older buildings are being knocked down and replaced with higher density buildings … better quality builds It can be gentrification but it can just be urbanisation as well where there’s just higher density units being put up.” Mr Clark said it was interesting to see high numbers of demolitions in some of the inner suburbs of Concord and Ermington “The government investment motivated a lot of quick development and urbanisation on a residential front … more houses being converted into units so perhaps there’s zoning changes Older homes are also getting a lot more attention now,” he said A home at 7 Laundess Ave Panania sold for $1.35m in 2021 And replaced with this brand new five bedroom home which sold for $1.72m in 2022 Huge home price record for ‘undiscovered’ Sydney suburb ‘$100K a year’: home prices set to surge He said further research showed the approvals didn’t just stop at demolitions with new builds and plenty of construction activity in the areas identified “You would think not much is happening with all the construction issues but there’s definitely hot spots,” he said William Clark says Sydney is always growing but not necessarily just in the outer regions but it’s not necessarily just in the outer areas Places that you don’t think of are gentrifying an changing/urbanising so quickly.” Balgownie – Fairy Meadow – 51 approved demolitions in 2022/23 It comes as the Master Builders Australia (NSW)’s latest building and construction forecasts reveal construction activity has increased to an estimated $67.27 billion during 2022–23 – up 6.7 per cent compared with the previous year However the report reveals like most of Australia “new home building in NSW is currently in retreat following the peak reached during the pandemic” “A total of 59,345 new homes were started across the state during 2020–21 We expected that 2023–24 will mark the low water mark with 47,935 new dwelling commencements,” the report stated MORE: Top model, foodie’s hip $6.8m home up for grabs Swimwear queen’s big $17m sell off Shocking footage has emerged of a machete attack on a teenage driver during a horrific crime spree across three Sydney locations which also involved an attempted home arson and a car on fire New vision has surfaced capturing a horrifying machete attack on teenage occupants of a car in Sydney during a series of incidents which unfolded across the city’s west overnight In footage obtained by the Daily Telegraph a hooded man can be seen standing atop a parked vehicle with a large handheld knife and repeatedly striking down on the driver’s side while another circles the car outside The publication identified the man as 43-year-old Manoa Sinamoni believed to be the same individual whose house police identified as the alleged target of attempted arson on Sunday night The ordeal began in the suburb of Concord West about 10.40pm where authorities were alerted of a burning vehicle outside a house on Mackenzie Street Firefighters arrived to find a Nissan on fire in the driveway but were able to extinguish the blaze and prevented complete destruction of the car A crime scene was established at the property police were called to a house about 15km west of the location to the suburb of South Wentworthville after reports of a man being injured in a fight officers found two cars collided and a male He is understood to be the same machete-wielding man from the footage Two teenagers aged 17 and 18 were also discovered at the scene with police saying the 18-year-old suffered multiple lacerations to his hands and face although the other boy was uninjured The 43-year-old attacker was also found with “superficial lacerations” to the shoulder and leg after reportedly being struck with the machete himself an initial arson attempt allegedly took place at a residence in Lalor Park – a further 10km from the machete attack location – which is now understood to be Sinamoni’s home According to New South Wales Police allegations to be made in court two people attended a home on Northcott Road and tried to set it alight The 43-year-old man spotted the two youngsters fleeing in a Toyota SUV and chased them following the pair to the Rawson Road location in South Wentworthville where the altercation involving the machete then unfolded Investigations are underway into the series of events with police believing all three incidents are linked The 18-year-old who was assaulted remains at Westmead Hospital in a serious but stable condition while his juvenile companion has been charged with attempt to damage property by fire/explosive with intent injure Meanwhile the 43-year-old has been charged with wounding a person with intent to cause grievous bodily harm and also refused bail anyone with information about these incidents is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or visit nsw.crimestoppers.com.au