Five-year-old Isabel and her sister died three days after the fire; investigation into the fire continues
Two of the three young children rescued from the horrific house fire sadly died in hospital.
Two girls, aged five and one, and a three-year-old boy were dragged unconscious from the rear of a house in Sydenham, in Melbourne’s northwest, after neighbours raised the alarm on Sunday night.
Firefighters arrived on the scene within minutes and rescued the children one by one from the burning home, before three were rushed to the Royal Children’s Hospital with serious, life-threatening injuries.
Police confirmed on Wednesday night that five-year-old Isabel and her 21-month-old sister died in hospital earlier that morning surrounded by grieving family.
His 3-year-old brother, Calais, remains in critical condition after suffering from smoke inhalation.
“I just hope he’s OK,” Mr Callais’ father, Jade Petalas, told The Age on Wednesday night.
He said he was shocked by the girls’ deaths but was not at the hospital during their final moments.
Detectives from the Arson and Explosives Squad are investigating the fire, including determining the cause of the fire and who was inside the building before the fire.
Jade Petalas with her 5-year-old stepdaughter, Isabel, who died in hospital on Wednesday
Neighbours said they heard explosions before and during the fire, which lasted for 30 minutes while children were inside the building.
This investigation is still ongoing.
Police are investigating whether the children were left alone in the home when the fire began.
Petalas said: I got a call from the police on Sunday night and went to the hospital.
He acknowledged at the time that his 5-year-old stepdaughter, Isabel, whom he treated like his own daughter, may not survive.
“They were cold and they were all alone and it was painful to watch,” Petalas told reporters on Monday.
“They would have been frozen with fear. To be honest, I hope they didn’t feel anything.”
“Of course they would have done so. I just tell myself they didn’t. It shouldn’t have happened.”
“They’re the best kids. So pure.”
Petalas has since set up a GoFundMe to help support her son on his road to recovery.
“I am even trying to figure out the right way to write this and ask for help, but after everything we’ve been through, as a single father of 27, I don’t feel there’s any way I can walk him alone down the road to recovery that he rightfully deserves,” he wrote.
“Every little bit of help means a lot to us and gets us a little closer to returning our lives to a bit of normalcy. Thank you so much.”
The children and their mother, Shania Lee He moved into the property a week ago. Petalas does not live in the home.
Petalas is pictured with his stepdaughter Isabel and son Calais, who remains in critical condition.
Investigations continue into a horrific fire at a home in Sydenham, in Melbourne’s northwest.
Neighbors said the children were trapped inside the building for about 30 minutes.
A loud explosion was heard and flames engulfed the house, followed by more explosions.
“When we first got outside we heard several people screaming,” an anonymous resident told Nine News.
Adolf Kolaric added: “There was just an explosion and then fire shot up into the air.”
Anyone with information or who may have witnessed the fire is urged to call Crime Stoppers.
