Third person dies and four children cling to life after house fire
A third person has died and four children are clinging to life after they were burnt in a fire at a holiday house at Tyaak in central Victoria.
A 33-year-old man and a six-year-old boy died at the two-bedroom weatherboard house, about 100 kilometres north of Melbourne, when a fire ripped through the property about 11.30pm on Saturday.
On Sunday afternoon, a 34-year-old man died at The Alfred hospital.
Four children – a male and female infant, a three-year-old girl and a five-year-old boy – are all in a critical condition at the Royal Children’s Hospital. They all suffered burns and smoke inhalation.
Two women aged in their 30s remain at The Alfred in a serious but stable condition, while the 33-year-old father of one of the young girls has been released from the Northern Hospital.
A man and a woman aged in their 60s were also involved. In total, 13 people from two families were at the home, which is owned by Donna and Joe Lolicato.
Police said 11 people were taken to hospital following the blaze. Credit:AAP
Police are not treating the fire as suspicious.
A CFA media spokesman said 16 tankers were called to the fire, and it took firefighters about two hours to bring the blaze under control.
A crime scene was established and police are investigating the circumstances of the blaze.
Anyone with information is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or submit a confidential report online at www.crimestoppersvic.com.au.