'We were lucky not to have anyone murdered in the arson attack'
The house was set on fire in the early hours of Thursday, April 16.
Gardaí are appealing for information relating to an incident of suspected criminal damage by fire at a residential property in Waterford City, in the early hours of Thursday, April 16.
A spokesperson for the Gardaí said officers and emergency services personnel responded to a report of a fire in the Lisduggan area of Waterford City, which occurred at approximately 2.50am.
The man in the house at the time managed to escape, but it is understood that his three dogs perished in the fire.
It is believed that a petrol bomb may have been used to break a downstairs window and the property was subsequently engulfed in flames.
"Fire services extinguished the fire and made the area safe," said the Garda spokesperson. "The scene was preserved for technical examination."
A male aged in his 50s was taken to University Hospital Waterford for injuries believed to be non-life threatening.
"Gardaí are appealing to anyone who may have witnessed this incident, or noticed anything suspicious in the Larchville area of Lisduggan Big, Waterford City, between 2am and 3.15am on the morning of Thursday, April 16, to contact them," said the spokesperson.
Anyone who may have video footage from the area between those times (including CCTV and dash cam) are asked to make such footage available to investigating Gardaí.
Anyone with any information is asked to contact Waterford Garda Station on 051 305300, the Garda confidential Line on 1800 666 111 or any Garda Station.
Sinn Féin Councillor John Hearne spoke about the incident at a recent meeting of the Metropolitan District Council. He said, "There was a very serious arson attack in my own estate in Larchville."
He asked anyone who had information to come forward.
"We were very lucky not to have anyone murdered in the arson attack last night," he told councillors.
He questioned the council on the efficacy of the councillors' security allowance.
The allowance allows councillors to take measures to improve their personal physical security at their homes, following a review which is to be carried out by a member of An Garda Síochána.
Eligible expenses under the scheme include the installation of intruder alarms, CCTV and the provision of panic buttons/GPS-tracked panic button app.
Cllr Hearne continued, "I know when my own house is attacked, the windows and doors and gates wouldn't protect you, and the gardaí never said that they would when I've been given advice."
Cllr Hearne asked if the allowance could be better spent for "someone who genuinely needs it".
