Two of three young children rescued from a horrific house fire have sadly died in hospital.
Two girls, aged five and one, and a three-year-old boy were rescued unconscious from the back of a property in Sydenham, in Melbourne’s north-west, after neighbours raised the alarm on Sunday night.
Firefighters arrived at the scene within minutes and rescued the children one by one before all three were taken to the Royal Children’s Hospital.
Police confirmed Wednesday night that 5-year-old Izabelle and her 21-month-old sister died in hospital earlier in the day, surrounded by grieving loved ones.
His 3-year-old brother Kalais remains in critical condition after suffering smoke inhalation.
Jayde Petalas with her stepdaughter Izabelle, 5, who died in hospital on Wednesday
Neighbors said they heard explosions before and during the fire, which raged for half an hour while the children were inside.
Detectives from the Arson and Explosives Squad are investigating the fire, including what may have caused it and who was on the property in the time leading up to the fire.
This investigation is ongoing.
Police are also investigating whether the children were home alone at the time of the fire.
Kalais’ father, Jayde Petalas, fled to the hospital after receiving a call from police on Sunday night.
He then admitted that his five-year-old stepdaughter, whom he treated as if she were his own, might not survive.
“It was hard to see them, they were cold, they were alone,” Petalas told reporters on Monday.
“They would have been petrified. I hope they didn’t feel anything, to be honest.
“Obviously they would have done it, but I tell myself that wasn’t the case. It shouldn’t have happened.
“They are the best little kids, so innocent.”
Mr Petalas is pictured with Izabelle and their son Kalais, who remains in critical condition.
It is understood that the children and their mother Shania Lee He moved into the property a week ago. Mr. Petalas does not live in the house.
The children were trapped inside for about half an hour, according to neighbors.
“When I came out, some of us heard screaming,” one anonymous resident told Nine News.
Adolf Kolaritsch added: ‘There were just explosions, that was all, and then fire shot into the air.
Anyone with information or who witnessed the fire is urged to call Crime Stoppers.
More to come.