By Alesha Capone
An online fundraising page has been set up to assist the family of four children who were tragically killed in a Werribee fire at the weekend.
Musrah, 10, Icen, six, Nadeer, three, and Ileen, aged one, died in the blaze at their family home on Mantello Drive.
Their parents, Najm and Khadjah, and their eight-year-old brother, escaped the fire, which began about 1am on Sunday.
The three family members were taken to hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.
Arson and Explosives Squad detectives are investigating the cause of the fire.
The CFA has released a statement, which said that firefighters found the single-storey brick veneer house on Mantello Drive fully alight when they arrived at the scene.
CFA district 14 Commander David Clancy said about 30 firefighters were supported by Fire Rescue Victoria crews as they battled the fire.
“Firefighters worked under very challenging conditions and had to attack the fire externally due to its intensity,” Commander Clancy said.
The roof collapsed as a result of the fire and the house was completely destroyed.
The fire was brought under control about 2am.
The scene was declared safe about 5am and was handed to Victoria Police.
A GoFundMe page has been set by Truganina resident Fathi Ahmed in a bid to help the family.
The fundraising page reads: “This unexpected house fire has caused the deaths of four young, bright and beautiful children, who were all so full of life and love, who had the most infectious smiles and radiated such a light that could illuminate the deepest and darkest of places”.
“The family, friends and communities of this beautiful family are also extremely devastated and in complete agony by this sudden and unexplainable tragedy which has left many imploding with unbearable pain.
“With the loss of children and their home we are hoping to alleviate some of the stress this has caused, bring them some support and return the love they have so easily shown others throughout their life while dealing with this devastating loss and rebuilding.
“We are also trying to raise as much as we can to cover the funeral and memorial services for the children who died, and to replace property lost in the fire.”
The GoFundMe page has so far received more than 1400 individual donations, totalling more than $118,000.
Details: www.gofundme.com/f/funeral-for-the-4-kids-who-died-from-house-fire
