Horror as son is charged with the murder of his dad in horrific Sydney house fire

• Organist identified as victim of fatal house fire
• Police are searching for his son 
• READ MORE: Croydon house fire: One person dead 

By CAITLIN POWELL FOR DAILY MAIL AUSTRALIA

Published: 14:30 BST, 28 May 2025 | Updated: 21:49 BST, 28 May 2025

A man has been arrested hours after his elderly father died in a suspicious house fire.

Emergency services were called to a home on Irrara Street in Croydon, in Sydney’s inner-west, at about 4am on Wednesday. 

Firefighters extinguished the blaze but later discovered the body of Edward ‘Ted’ Grantham, 80, inside the property. 

Mr Grantham was an organist at the Hunter Baillie church in Annandale after a long career as a music teacher and lay pastor.

He and his wife Anne have six children and 18 grandchildren, according to the church’s website.

‘Ted was a much-loved and valued member of the church and wider community,’ church moderator Reverend Danny Ford told the Sydney Morning Herald

‘Our thoughts and prayers are with family, friends and us all as we grieve at this difficult time.’

Mr Grantham was also an elder of the Presbyterian Church of Australia.

Church organist and retired lay pastor Edward ‘Ted’ Grantham (pictured with wife Anne) was killed in a house fire early Wednesday

The intensity of the blaze at the Croydon home meant firefighters struggled to enter the property and were temporarily forced to retreat

Ted’s son Christopher Grantham (pictured) was arrested by police on Wednesday night

NSW Police launched a public appeal for assistance to locate a man, 50, they believed could assistance with inquiries

The man was identified by the Herald as Mr Grantham’s son, Christopher, who understood to be living at the home at the time.

He was arrested at Woy Woy on the NSW Central Coast shortly after 7.30pm on Wednesday night.

Christopher, who was known to police, spent the night being questioned by detectives. Charges are yet to be laid.

Police Superintendent Christine McDonald paid tribute to the combined efforts of police and specialist officers investigating the blaze.

‘This has been an intensive few hours to locate a man we believe can assist with our inquiries into what we allege is a suspicious fire, and I thank my officers and all other officers who provided their assistance,’ she said.

Mr Grantham’s wife, Anne, was not home at the time of the blaze. She is assisting police with their inquiries. 

Ted Grantham has been remembered as ‘much-loved and valued member’ of the community

The investigation under Strike Force Leverier continues.

Anyone with information or footage is urged to contact Crime Stoppers.

Firefighters struggled to enter the home due to the intensity of the blaze.

As crews worked to contain the fire, parts of the roof collapsed, concealing hotspots and making the search effort more difficult.

Fire Rescue NSW Superintendent Adam Dewberry said crews forced entry through the back of the property.

Parts of the roof collapsed as fire crews attempted to get the flames under control

Due to the intense heat and falling debris, firefighters were forced to temporarily withdraw until it was safe to re-enter.

The cause of the fire is yet to be determined. 

A report will be prepared for the Coroner.

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Horror as son is charged with the murder of his dad in horrific Sydney house fire

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