Funeral held for family of four killed in Irish house fire

Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 19 Oct, 16:19 · Archive

Philip and Kim English and their two sons, aged 12 and nine, died in a fire at their Waterford home on Tuesday; two other children remain critically ill.

Philip and Kim English and their two sons, Callum, 12, and Jayden, nine, died when their house in Waterford, Ireland, was engulfed in flames in the early hours of Tuesday morning. Two other children, aged six and 14, remain in critical condition in hospital following the attack at their home in the Birchwood Estate.

Their funeral mass took place on Monday at Sacred Heart Church in Waterford. Hundreds of people attended the service, with thousands more watching online. The white coffins of Callum and Jayden were placed on the altar and flanked by their parents' coffins. Players from Johnville Football Club, where Callum played, formed a guard of honour on the church steps.

Parish priest Father Gerry Chestnutt described the fire as 'an act of total evil' that had devastated the family and community. He acknowledged that first responders 'did everything possible to save the lives of the family'. Bishop Alphonsus Cullinan called it 'heart-wrenching' to see four coffins on the altar. The Evening Standard reports that the Bishop also said lives are being destroyed by drugs across the country.

How it is being reported

• Waterford family killed in arson attack were victims of ‘web of evil’Philip and Kim (nee Companjen) English and their sons Callum, 12, and Jayden, nine, died after their home was attacked in Waterford last Tuesday.Evening Standard · 19 Oct, 15:55
• Funeral held for family of four who died in 'arson attack' on their home in Ireland that left two other children remain fighting for their livesPhilip and Kim English and their two sons, Callum, 12, and Jayden, nine, died when their house in Waterford was engulfed in flames in the early hours of Tuesday morning.Daily Mail · 18 Oct, 16:05

In this story: Philip English · Kim English · Callum English · Jayden English · Waterford · Sacred Heart Church · Father Gerry Chestnutt · Bishop Alphonsus Cullinan

This summary was written by AI from the headlines and standfirsts above, and states as fact only what at least two outlets report. How we use AI · Report a problem