Three young children are fighting for their lives today after they were rescued from a house fire in Melbourne overnight that is being treated as suspicious.
Thirty firefighters were called to a single-storey home in Sydenham, in the city’s north-west, at around 9.30am to find it engulfed by flames.
Firefighters wearing breathing apparatus entered the house to extinguish the fire and search for occupants.
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They rescued three children – believed to be aged under five – who were treated at the scene by paramedics before being taken to hospital in a serious condition.
The blaze was brought under control at 11pm. Firefighters remained at the scene for several hours to ensure the blaze was fully extinguished.
Victoria Police said in a statement today its arson and explosives squad detectives are investigating the cause of the blaze that is being treated as suspicious.
“The area has been cordoned off and a crime scene established.
“Detectives and an arson chemist will attend the scene in coming hours..
“No one else was injured in the fire with investigators working to determine if anyone else was present in the home at the time or just prior to the fire.”
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Neighbours told 9News the family had moved into the house only a few weeks ago.
Anyone with information or who may have witnessed the incident is urged to call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
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