Critical condition: Three boys fight for life after Mt Tarcoola house fire, police suspect accelerant involved

Geraldton detectives are investigating a horrific house fire that left three teenage boys fighting for their lives after flames engulfed the Mt Tarcoola home on Thursday afternoon. Just after 4pm, emergency services rushed to the house fire on Marinula Road after Triple-0 calls reported children were inside. Geraldton police acting Insp. Chris Martin said there were reports of a “large bang or explosion potentially in the rear garden” of the property and although what caused the blaze was yet to be determined, police believed there may have been an accelerant involved. “We know that one of the children was taken to a neighbour’s house immediately and placed in a shower,” he said. The blaze, which caused the roof to collapse, took firefighters about an hour to bring under control. Three boys aged 12, 13 and 14 were flown to Perth by the Royal Flying Doctor Service, with the first child arriving at Perth Children’s Hospital about 9pm on Thursday. He was accompanied by his mother. She could be seen comforting her son before he was taken off the aircraft. The second child arrived at the hospital about 11pm and the third boy about 1am on Friday. A Child and Adolescent Health Services spokesperson confirmed all three boys were in critical condition on Friday. The fourth child sustained burns to his hands and was treated and discharged from Geraldton Regional Hospital on Thursday at 9pm. Arson squad detectives and forensic officers were collecting evidence at the scene on Friday afternoon. Insp. Martin said police understood several neighbours helped the children involved and transported them to hospital. “I thank the members of the public who had that quick mindset to take the kids to hospital as soon as possible, particularly those who quickly put them in the shower and tried to give as much first aid as they can,” he said. Insp. Martin said by the time police arrived, the blaze was “effectively out of control”. “We understand the kids that were involved, one in particular, has received a significant amount of bodily injuries,” he said. “From what we can tell there were only children involved within the house at the time of the fire.” A local resident recalled in horror the grim scene when the young victims spilled outside and neighbours came to their aid. “We wrapped them in cold towels . . . and put the hose on them for about 20 minutes . . . that’s all we could do,” he said. A woman who lives on the street also helped the boys in the chaotic aftermath of the blaze. “I put them in the car to begin with . . . when I realised how badly burnt they were, we waited for the ambulance,” she said. Department of Fire and Emergency Services Mid West Gascoyne district officer Kieran Mussen commended the fire crews on their efforts in putting out the blaze. “It was a very intense fire,” he said. “A huge smoke plume could be seen from several kilometres away.” The damage bill to the property — a State-owned house — is understood to be about $300,000. There was no damage to neighbouring homes. Assistant Commissioner Tony Longhorn said speaking with the injured children’s primary carers was the most critical part of the investigative process. He added the incident was concerning and had been advised there was no indication of “criminality” involved. “Young people and lighters and fire — it never ends well, it’s always concerning, and this is an example of the tragic outcome and hopefully the three kids are OK,” he said. Director of Education Mid West region Julie Carlson said the incident affected families in the community. “Our thoughts are with those affected. Local schools will have support staff available for students and school staff for as long as it is needed,” she said. The site was secured with fencing on Friday about 4pm.