The mayor of Port Hedland, where three young children, including a baby, have been found dead after a house fire, said the regional community is faltering after the “heartbreaking” incident.
Emergency services attended hell on Anderson Street around 4:45 p.m. Tuesday, where it took more than 30 minutes to fight the fire.
Tragically, once inside the house, firefighters discovered the bodies of three young children and one is believed to have been a baby.
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Port Hedland Mayor Peter Carter described the horrific fire as a “tragic loss,” and said the small community will feel the pain this morning and gather behind the family.
“All I know is that three kids have lost their lives, and one is a kid I’ve been told. It’s tragic, you don’t wish that on a family,” he told The West Australian on Wednesday morning.
“All I can say is that Hedland is a beautiful community and they will support this family in every way they can and will support them.
“It’s a close community, it’s a beautiful community and this family will need a lot of support.”
Camera IconPort Hedland Mayor Peter Carter says the city is Credit: Daniel Wilkins / RegionalHUB
Being a regional city, most people know each other, and most kids play together, Carter said.
“It’s just a tragic loss. When the kids are involved it’s the worst and it’s about three young children in our community,” he said.
“Reports are still coming in, but hopefully we can find out how and why this happened because you don’t want it in your community or any community.
“My condolences go to the family. This is unprecedented, I’m lost for the words I really am, this just doesn’t happen.
“It’s stressful.”
The mayor of the city offered his support and gratitude to all the emergency services who attended to the horrific fire.
“People from the emergency service who attended the scene will also need advice,” he said.
“The community will be behind them whenever we can.
It’s a tragedy, it’s horrible.
He asked locals to stay away from the house while police investigate the cause of the fire and the circumstances of the tragic deaths.
“Give the police time to do their job and stay away, just support the family where they can in this time of need. We really need to get behind them,” he said.
Dozens of community members have used social media to express their shock and sadness over the horrific incident.
Many have made posts or comments sending condolences to the family and praying for the three children who died. People have also thanked the work of the emergency services who have come to the scene and fought the fire.
A neighbor in the area said the street was full of police and emergency workers after a cordon was installed hundreds of meters from the scene.
Police are investigating the causes of the fire.
“Local police, including detectives, remain at the scene tonight and specialist investigators from the Major Crimes and Forensics Division will travel to Port Hedland to continue investigations,” police said.