Tas: Four children killed in house fire

AAP General News (Australia)
04-05-2004
Tas: Four children killed in house fire

By Alex Wilson

HOBART, April 5 AAP - The death of four children in a house fire has shaken a small
rural community in north-west Tasmania.

Tasmanian Police today said three girls and one boy, aged between seven and 12, died
in the inferno which engulfed the farm cottage in Scotchtown, near Smithton in the state's
north-west, overnight.

Police said two of the children were sleeping over at the house.

The mother and father of two of the dead children escaped the blaze with their two
other children, police said.

The father suffered burns and cuts while trying to fight the fire and has been taken
to the North West Regional Hospital in Burnie, where he will undergo surgery later today.

The dead children's mother is being looked after by relatives.

Firefighters were called to the weatherboard cottage about 11pm (AEST) yesterday.

Police Detective Acting Inspector Matt McCreadie said cottage was well ablaze by the
time fire crews arrived.

"Upon arrival the fire service discovered the cottage completely engulfed in fire and
at that stage, despite their significant efforts, they were unable to extinguish the fire
and save the house," he said.

Mr McCreadie said they had soon confirmed that four children had died in the fire.

Tasmanian Fire Service spokesman Wayne Richards said today the blaze's ferocity meant
fire crews were too late to save the children.

"There were reports at that time that four children were still in the house and, unfortunately,
because of the extent of the fire and the conditions, they have died in the fire," Mr
Richards told ABC radio.

He said it was too early to determine the cause of the blaze.

"The extent of the fire damage is quite significant ...," he said.

A worker from the local service station said the deaths had shocked the small community.

She said the dead girl's aunt had stopped in for gas early today on her way to the
scene in a state of distress.

Mr McCreadie said news of the fire had been a shock to locals.

"It's a very small community, so it's hit pretty hard," he said.

Police and fire services will today investigate the cause of the fire and a report
will be prepared for the coroner.

AAP apw/gfr/jv/br/gfr/mg

KEYWORD: HOUSE 2ND LEAD

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