The 4 kids had been taking part in contained in the shed when the fireplace broke out, trapping them inside in what police have described as “a horrific scene”.
Neighbour Darren Cheesman informed 9News he was “fairly shocked”.
“You do not assume it will occur down the highway from you,” he stated.
Victoria Police Inspector Emma Bartel stated “it was very a lot a chaotic scene”.
“It is a tragic and terrible occasion that has occurred.
“For the sake of the households which can be concerned, we owe it to them to seek out out what passed off and provides them some solutions.”
Heartbreak was felt by even probably the most skilled first responders who turned up on the scene because the tragedy unfolded about 10.30am.
“It is a horrific scene,” Bartel stated.
“A lot of our officers and our fellow emergency providers are mother and father as properly.
“There’s loads of this group rallying collectively for the family, the households which can be concerned.”
It’s understood {that a} mom of a minimum of one of many kids was at dwelling on the time. She was not injured.
Police are nonetheless figuring out how the kids had been related.
The arson squad remained on the scene as they tried to determine precisely what induced the blaze.
At this stage they are saying the fireplace is not suspicious, however quite a tragic accident.
A report might be ready for the coroner.
Corio is likely one of the largest suburbs of Geelong, about 67km away from Melbourne.