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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. |
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). | |
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. |
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. |
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. | |
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. |