A MAN HAS been hospitalised and his three dogs killed after a suspected arson attack at a house in Waterford in the early hours of this morning.

When The Journal visited the scene today, the front window of the semi-detached, two-storey home was shattered, its walls covered in black smoke and the interior stripped by the flames.

Gardaí and fire services were called to the scene of the house fire in the Larchville housing estate in the city shortly before 3am.

A man aged in his 50s was taken to University Hospital Waterford for injuries believed to be non-life threatening, according to a garda spokesperson.

The front living room of the house following the blaze.

A garda spokesperson said they are investigating the reports of alleged criminal damage by fire using an incendiary device at the home.

It’s understood that they are examining whether intimidation was a motive behind the attack.

The man’s three Jack Russell terriers all perished in the incident.

A garda spokesperson said the scene is currently being held for technical examination.

Neighbours told The Journal how some residents woke up to the smell of smoke, with one house next door also filling up with smoke arising from the blaze.

One woman living in the estate said that the injured man is a “lovely old fella who is doesn’t put in or out on anyone”.

“It’s not fair to do that to someone,” one woman said.

Gardaí and fire services responded to the fire at 3am this morning. Eoghan Dalton / The Journal Eoghan Dalton / The Journal / The Journal

Local councillor John Hearne, who lives in the estate, said that he urged anyone with information to contact gardaí.

“We are blessed nobody died,” Hearne told The Journal.

“But for the poor man to lose his dogs – they were his life.”

A garda spokesperson said 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 16 April, to contact them.

“Any persons who may have video footage from the area between those times (including CCTV and dash cam) are asked to make this footage available to investigating Gardaí,” they said.

“Anyone with any information is asked to contact Waterford Garda Station on (051) 305 300, the Garda confidential Line on 1800 666 111 or any Garda Station.”

Investigations are ongoing.