‘No kid deserves this’: Dad speaks out after kids trapped in horror house fire

Witnesses described hearing loud banging coming from the Melbourne home, where three children under five were trapped inside. 

The father of three children who were trapped in the house while a fire ripped through the building said his oldest daughter, five, may not survive her injuries.

Emergency services were called to the Sydenham property in Melbourne’s northwest on Sunday evening following reports that a fire had broken out. 

Thirty firefighters were at the scene trying to control the flames, where they found the three children, aged five, three and 21 months, unconscious inside the property. 

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Jayde spoke to reporters about the horrific fire. Picture: 7News

Three kids hospitalised after horrific fire

Arson Squad detectives are now trying to determine how the fire started and if the children were alone at the time of the fire. 

Authorities are yet to formally interview the children’s 25-year-old mother as she is too distressed. 

RELATED: Three children in critical condition after fire rips through Melbourne home

The children and their mother had only recently moved into the house, explained stepdad Jayde Petalas.

The three children, including his 21mo son Kalais, 3yo stepson and 5yo stepdaughter Izabel, were rushed to the Royal Children’s Hospital in critical condition. 

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Speaking to 7News, Jayde said the oldest child, who suffered the worst smoke inhalation, may not survive her horrific injuries. 

“They’re not well at all,” he said, describing the three young children as “happy little kids” who “loved everything”. 

“No kid deserves this,” he told reporters. 

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The Melbourne man said his eldest step daughter might not survive her injuries. Picture: 7News

Witnesses recounted the loud bang that echoed through the street as the fire ripped through the house, which sounded like gunfire or a car exploding. 

“It was like an explosion,” a neighbour said.

“At first, we thought it was gunshots, so we cowered a bit, and then I peaked out the back window and saw the flames and the smoke coming out the back of their house.” 

Authorities have launched an investigation into the fire and said it may take a day or two to determine its cause.

At this point in time, they consider it a tragic accident. 

“At this stage, it’s too early to say whether the fire is suspicious or not, and it’s important that we don’t pre-empt any possible outcomes or make any assumption,” said Detective Acting Inspector Adam Henry.

Originally published as ‘No kid deserves this’: Dad speaks out after kids trapped in horror house fire