Sydenham house fire: Heartbreaking update after three children were dragged from a burning home in Melbourne

Two of the three young children rescued from a terrible house fire have sadly died in hospital.

Two girls, aged five and one, and a three-year-old boy, were pulled unconscious from the back of a house in Sydenham, Melbourne’s northwest, on Sunday night after neighbours raised the alarm.

Firefighters arrived on the scene within minutes and rescued the children one by one, with all three being rushed to the Royal Children’s Hospital.

Police confirmed Wednesday evening that 5-year-old Izabelle and her 21-month-old sister died earlier in the day in hospital, surrounded by heartbroken loved ones.

Their brother Kalais, 3, remains in critical condition after suffering smoke inhalation.

Detectives from the Arson and Explosives department are investigating the fire. They are investigating, among other things, what the cause could have been and who was present in the building at the time of the fire.

The investigation is still ongoing.

Kalais’ father Jayde Petalas stormed off taken to hospital after receiving a call from police on Sunday evening.

“It was hard to see, they were cold and alone,” Petalas told reporters on Monday.

“They would have been petrified. I hope they didn’t feel anything, to be honest.

“Of course they would have, I just tell myself they didn’t. It shouldn’t have happened. They’re the best little kids – so innocent.”

Anyone with information or who witnessed the fire is urged to contact Crime Stoppers.

More coming soon.