Father of two children killed in tragic shed fire speaks

The father of two children killed in a shed fire which left their other siblings in intensive care has spoken of his devastation.

The father of two young children who died in a horror shed fire has spoken for the first time since the tragedy.

Saige McGregor, three, and Ashylnn McGregor, 18 months, died at the scene when a shed they were playing caught fire at their home in Corio, south west of Melbourne, on Sunday morning.

Older siblings Mavis, six, and Isaac, four, were flown to the Royal Children’s hospital in Melbourne where they continue to fight for their lives.

Two children were killed and two others seriously injured in a shed fire in Corio, Victoria. Picture: 7 News

Kane McGregor took to Facebook on Monday to express his anguish at what had happened to his children.

“Worst 36 hours of my life absolutely broken hearted having to let go of my 2 youngest baby’s,” he said.

“Only thing keeping me together is holding onto and fighting for my other two come on Mavis and Isaac you are both so strong and way to stubborn to give in so keep fighting the winning fight”.

“Rip wiggles and saigey I love you two so much.”

Mavis and Isaac have sustained burns to most of their bodies and their road to recovery will be “extensive and ongoing”, according to the children’s uncle Anthony.

The father of the children tragically involved in Sunday's shed fire says he has endured the worst 36 hours of his life. Picture: Supplied

The children’s mother Jasmine frantically tried to rescue them after a couch caught fire and trapped them inside the shed.

Jasmine was able to pull the kids from the burning shed before neighbours helped her call emergency services.

Mavis and Isaac were rushed to hospital but tragically it was too late for Saige and Ashlynn.

“She’s destroyed. She’s not handling herself,” Anthony McGregor told the Age newspaper on Monday.

“She’s trying to be the best mum she can be right now and be there to support her children who are suffering,” he said.

“Jasmine did her very best, she just smelled flames and she ran out there. She had to move a couch that was on fire to pull the kids out.”

Police are still investigating the cause of the fire, but it is not being treated as suspicious. Picture NewsWire Photo / Ian Currie

A GoFundMe page has been started in memory of the “beautiful angels”.

“I’m hoping to help this family ease the financial cost of laying those beautiful babies to rest as this is such an unimaginable situation for any parent to go through,” organiser Daina Leech wrote on the fundraising page.

The children’s uncle took to Facebook to pay an emotional tribute to them.

“I will forever miss you both. And cherish the times of happiness we all got to share!” Travis McGregor wrote.

“Uncle Trav and aunt Del loves you both.”

Siblings Saige and Ashlynn tragically died when the shed they were playing in caught fire. Picture: GoFundMe

Emergency services rushed to the property to respond to the incident shortly after 10.30am on Sunday.

The cause of what started the fire is still under investigation but it is not currently being treated as suspicious, police confirmed in a statement.

Inspector Emma Bartel said it was a “horrific scene” when emergency crews arrived on Sunday.

The shed where two children have died at the Corio home. Picture: NCA NewsWire / David Crosling

“As you can imagine with children involved it really it’s difficult for officers and all of our emergency services to respond but the training kicks in,” she said.

“They’re primary concern was the medical health of these children and looking after these children.

“Many of our officers and fellow emergency services are parents as well.

“Our hearts go out to the family and the community here.”

Emergency crews rushed to attend the scene of the horrific fire shortly after 10:30 on Sunday morning. Picture: 7 News

Inspector Bartel said investigators, including the Arson squad, will now work to determine what occurred at the “confronting scene”.

“We do know there were four children playing together in the shed.

“There’s a lot we don’t know at this stage, we’ve spoken to the family and we’ve spoken to neighbours.

“We’re trying to piece it together. Our arson investigators are coming, who will be able to help and also (figure out) what’s happened and what’s taken place.

“It’s an awful tragic event that’s happened.

“For the families and those in the community we owe it to them what did take place and give them some answers.”

It’s understood several neighbours called emergency services and rushed to the house to help.

The children had been playing in the shed when it caught on fire. Picture: NCA NewsWire / David Crosling

Local residents told the Geelong Advertiser they had been left “completely stunned” by the horrific incident.

Emotional tributes poured in on social media for the victims of the disastrous fire.

“This is tragic. Just awful. Those poor babies.”

Investigators were seen at the home where two children have died. Picture: NCA NewsWire / David Crosling

Police will prepare a report for the coroner.

Anyone with information is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or online at www.crimestoppersvic.com.au.