Father and son among three dead after Tyaak house fire
A father and his young son have died alongside a close family friend after a fire tore through a holiday house at Tyaak in central Victoria.
The 34-year-old father of three died on Sunday night, less than 24 hours after his six-year-old son died at the scene of the blaze at the Cunninghams Road property about 11.30pm on Saturday.
The man's wife was by his side for his final hours at The Alfred hospital on Sunday night before she underwent further surgery on Monday. She is in a serious but stable condition.
The couple have two other young sons who are being treated for their injuries at the Royal Children's Hospital.
A 33-year-old man, who was a family friend, also died at the scene.
Police are not treating the fire at the the two-bedroom weatherboard house, located about 100 kilometres north of Melbourne, as suspicious.
Four children – a male and female infant, a three-year-old girl and a five-year-old boy – were rushed to the Royal Children’s Hospital in a critical condition after they suffered burns and smoke inhalation.
On Monday afternoon, a hospital spokeswoman said updates on the children's condition would be kept private at the request of their family.
Police said 11 people were taken to hospital following the blaze. Credit:AAP
Another woman in her 30s remains 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 at the home at the time of the fire, believed to be the owners of the property. In total, 13 people were at the home when the fire took hold.
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.