Masked gang sets fire to Cork house while family inside
Between four and six masked men burst into a house in Bride Valley View, Fairhill, Co Cork, at about 10.15pm on Saturday 19 September 2026, dousing the hallway with petrol from a jerry can before setting it alight. A 46-year-old man, his two daughters aged 27 and 10, and his 12-year-old son fled the burning building without serious injury, but the property was damaged beyond habitability. Gardaí believe the gang arrived and left in two cars, and a car was burnt out in the estate at about 1am on Sunday in an incident that may be linked. No arrests have been made; Gardaí have taken witness statements, carried out a forensic examination, are canvassing the area for CCTV footage, and are checking filling stations for jerry can purchases.
- Reported20 Sep
- Arrested
- Charged
- In court
- Verdict
- Sentenced
Key facts
consolidated from all reports- What happened
- Between four and six masked men burst in the front door and doused the hallway with petrol from a jerry can before setting it alight.
- A 46-year-old man, his two daughters aged 27 and 10, and his 12-year-old son fled the burning building without serious injury.
- The fire damaged the property so badly that it is no longer habitable.
- Gardaí believe the gang arrived and left in two cars.
- A car was burnt out in the estate at about 1am on Sunday in an incident that may be linked to the attack.
- Where
- The arson attack happened at a house in Bride Valley View in Fairhill, Co Cork.
- When
- The attack occurred at about 10.15pm on Saturday night, 19 September 2026.
- Investigation
- Gardaí have begun an investigation, taken witness statements from the family and neighbours, are canvassing the estate and surrounding roads for CCTV footage, are checking filling stations for jerry can purchases, and carried out a forensic examination of the scene.
- Other details
- Gardaí are keeping an open mind on a motive for the attack.
13 statements extracted from the articles
- whatBetween four and six masked men burst in the front door and doused the hallway with petrol from a jerry can before setting it alight. (irishtimes.com)
- whatA 46-year-old man, his two daughters aged 27 and 10, and his 12-year-old son fled the burning building without serious injury. (irishtimes.com)
- whatThe fire damaged the property so badly that it is no longer habitable. (irishtimes.com)
- whatGardaí believe the gang arrived and left in two cars. (irishtimes.com)
- whatA car was burnt out in the estate at about 1am on Sunday in an incident that may be linked to the attack. (irishtimes.com)
- whereThe arson attack happened at a house in Bride Valley View in Fairhill, Co Cork. (irishtimes.com)
- whenThe attack occurred at about 10.15pm on Saturday night. (irishtimes.com)
- investigationGardaí have begun an investigation and taken witness statements from the family and neighbours. (irishtimes.com)
- investigationGardaí are canvassing the estate and surrounding approach roads for CCTV footage to identify the vehicles and the gang. (irishtimes.com)
- investigationDetectives are checking filling stations in the Cork city area for jerry can purchases in the last few days. (irishtimes.com)
- investigationGarda technical experts carried out a forensic examination of the scene. (irishtimes.com)
- investigationGardaí appealed for information to be contacted in confidence at Watercourse Road Garda station on 021 4558260. (irishtimes.com)
- otherGardaí are keeping an open mind on a motive for the attack. (irishtimes.com)
The reporting
newest first- 20 Sep2026Gardaí search for masked gang who set fire to Cork house while family were in it
Initial Gardaí report of the arson attack, family details, investigation steps (CCTV canvassing, filling-station checks, forensic examination) and a possibly linked car fire at 1am on Sunday.
victim, 46, malevictim, 27, femalevictim, 10, femalevictim, 12, malesuspect, male