The mother of three who died yesterday in a house surrounded by a fire in Port Hedland is in police custody and is being questioned for her death, according to police.
Key points:
- The three children who died were 10, 7 and five months old
- Police say her mother is detained assisting in the investigations
- Homicide and arson investigators are heading to the scene
Firefighters were called in yesterday afternoon to set fire to a house on Anderson Street and found the bodies of the three children inside the house.
The boys were a 10-year-old girl and two boys, one a 7-year-old and the other a five-month-old baby.
Acting Deputy Commissioner Allan Adams said the children’s mothers were assisting police with their investigations.
He said the children’s parents had been informed of the “tragic deaths”.
“I know he talked to his mother immediately after the fire,” Adams said.
Homicide crews, arsonists and forensic teams arrived in Port Hedland on Wednesday afternoon to help local police.
After flight delays, police and arson team investigators arrived at the home Wednesday afternoon. (ABC News: Michelle Stanley)
Mother injured in a fire
He said the mother was also receiving medical attention for the injuries she suffered from the fire.
“The investigation will take time,” he said.
Perth investigators have arrived at the scene to investigate how the fire started. (ABC News: Tom Robinson)
A coronal investigation would also be conducted, with the participation of various government agencies, which would examine the issues “preceding the incident to better understand whether there were opportunities to prevent it.”
Commissioner Adams said an autopsy will be performed to determine how the children died.
A team of investigators stayed at the house where the three children died. (ABC News: Michelle Stanley)
Speaking in a measured tone, with his voice sometimes broken by emotion, Commissioner Allan said the death of the children would severely affect the community.
“This tragedy will have a profound effect on the Port Hedland area,” he said.
“Family and extended family, but across the state, whenever we see these types of incidents occur, they resonate with all Western Australians.”
Support offered
He said emotions would increase in the city as a result of the tragedy.
“What I would ask the community to do is let the police do the work,” Adams said.
He offered his condolences to the children’s family and said those affected by the tragedy will receive support and assistance.
WA interim commissioner Allan Adams says the tragedy will have a big impact. (ABC News: Angela Ho)
“I have spoken to the top officials, making sure we have offered all the assistance and support to our police officers,” he said.
“But this obviously extends to neighbors, immediate family, extended family and those affected by this incident.”
WA Prime Minister Mark McGowan described the incident as a “very, very sad thing”.
“Obviously it’s a terrible tragedy, the loss of three children’s lives is incredibly sad,” he said.
“Our thoughts go to them, but also to all those people affected, their families and the first responders.
Investigators at the scene
Local police, including detectives, remain at the scene. Police chaplains, psychologists and other support staff also went from Perth.
Police and emergency services were called to a house on Anderson Street in Port Hedland on Tuesday, July 19, 2022, in response to a fire in the house, with three children later found dead inside the house. house. (ABC Pilbara: Michelle Stanley)
Port Hedland Mayor Peter Carter said it was devastating news.
“I can’t describe how I think family and friends feel right now, but it’s horrible, it really is,” he said.
“Something you never want to have in your community, it’s a loss.”
Anderson Street remains cordoned off, with police tape blocking access to the modest one-story home, which is part of a duplex.
Today a family with three children has left stuffed animals near the scene and another woman has left a small bouquet.
A family with three young children left stuffed toys out of the house. (ABC News: Michelle Stanley)
Resident Lorraine Injie said the city was devastated by the news.
“It has affected a lot of most of us, as you can imagine. A lot of people haven’t slept,” he said.
With a population of about 16,000, Port Hedland is Pilbara’s main seaport and the world’s largest bulk export port, where the region’s iron ore riches are loaded on giant carriers and exported. .
Anderson Street is one of the main streets in town, close to the harbor and beach area.