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Australia fire: Three children killed in house blaze Australia fire: Three children killed in house blaze
(about 2 hours later)
Three children have died in a house fire in the Australian state of New South Wales, police say.Three children have died in a house fire in the Australian state of New South Wales, police say.
Emergency services were called to the home in Singleton, 200km north-west of Sydney, at about 03:30 local time on Wednesday (17:30 GMT Tuesday). Firefighters were called to the home in Singleton, 200km (120 miles) north-west of Sydney, at about 03:30 local time on Wednesday (17:30 GMT Tuesday).
A boy's body was found inside the house and two girls were taken to hospital but died. A woman, 31, and another boy, 8, were treated for smoke inhalation. The body of a boy, 11, was found inside the house. Two sisters, both aged 5, were pulled from the house but died in hospital.
The cause of the blaze is not yet known, authorities said.The cause of the blaze is not yet known, authorities said.
New South Wales Police said they had not yet confirmed the ages of the children who died. Neighbours were able to rescue another girl, 8, and a woman, 31, who were both treated for smoke inhalation. The woman also suffered burns.
"Our fire crews arrived to find the neighbours trying to assist with hoses," said New South Wales Police Supt Chad Gillies.
Neighbours said six people had lived in the home, Australia's Nine News reported.
"I was woken up to screams... it was terrible. It was horrendous," one eyewitness told the network.
"When it is deemed safe to do so, police and fire investigators will examine the home to identify where and how the fire started," the police force said in a statement."When it is deemed safe to do so, police and fire investigators will examine the home to identify where and how the fire started," the police force said in a statement.
Neighbours said that a family of six people lived in the home, Australia's Nine News reported. Supt Gillies said heating and fireplace arrangements within the home would form part of the investigation. Fire crews had heard smoke detectors upon their arrival, he added.
"I was woken up to screams. And come out the front and the houses was on fire. It was terrible. It was horrendous," one eyewitness told the network.
Police said a report would be prepared for a coroner.Police said a report would be prepared for a coroner.
Singleton is located in the Hunter Valley, a popular wine and tourism region.Singleton is located in the Hunter Valley, a popular wine and tourism region.