A heroic neighbour who helped rescue children from a deadly house fire says he’s heartbroken that three young kids died in the catastrophic blaze.
Children aged six, three and 10 months were killed in the fire at Lalor Park, in Sydney’s west, early on Sunday after a 28-year-old man allegedly frustrated attempts to rescue them.
The man, who has not been charged, remains in hospital in an induced coma as investigators continue probing the scene for further evidence.
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Four other children — aged 11, nine, seven and four — and their mother were all treated in hospital following the incident.
Neighbours and emergency services got to the fire at about 1am on Sunday and rescued two boys, aged three and six, but they died a short time later.
The body of a 10-month-old girl was found inside the home after firefighters extinguished the blaze.
Neighbour Jarrod Hawkins said he acted on instinct when he realised the house was on fire rushing to the family’s aid, and added he was “upset” about what happened, but his biggest concern now was for the children.
“They’ve been through a life-altering thing … so if they need anything, I’m more than happy to help,” he told 7NEWS.
“They’ve lost everything… their whole lives.”
Once he found and rescued one child, Hawkins said he went straight back into the house and continued recovering others until emergency services arrived.
Hawkins has launched an online fundraiser for the 29-year-old mother and her surviving children, which had raised more than $12,500 by Tuesday morning.
Homicide detectives believe the 28-year-old man is responsible for the three deaths and are treating the incident as a domestic-related multiple homicide.
Attempts to enter the burning home were allegedly met with resistance.
Premier Chris Minns has foreshadowed “the most serious charges on offer” for the man, adding NSW had been “deeply wounded” by the tragedy.
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