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Mum in police custody after three kids found dead in WA house fire

The mum of three young children who were found dead in a house fire in Port Hedland on Tuesday afternoon is in police custody.

Police were called to the home on Anderson Street in Western Australia's Pilbara region about 4:45pm.

It took firefighters 30 minutes to bring the inferno under control, during which the bodies of the kids — aged 10, 7 and five-months-old — were found inside, WA Police Assistant Commissioner Allan Adams said.

A criminal investigation is underway into the “circumstances leading up to this tragedy” as the homicide and arson squads travel from Perth to Port Hedland on Wednesday, he said.

Police at the scene of the Port Hedland house fire. Source: 7 News
The mum of the three kids found dead in a Port Hedland house fire is assisting police with their investigation. Source: 7 News

“At this time the mum of the deceased kids is assisting police with their investigations,” Asst Commissioner Adams added.

The mum is currently “seeking medical attention at the moment as a result of the fire”.

Police understand the mum was “spoken to in the immediate aftermath of the fire being observed”, he said.

The fathers of the children have been notified of their deaths. A post-mortem examination will reveal their exact causes of death.

WA Premier Mark McGowan described the tragedy as a “very, very sad thing” earlier on Wednesday morning.

“Obviously, it's a terrible tragedy, three children losing their lives is incredibly sad,” he said.

“Our thoughts go to them but also all those people affected, their family and the first responders.”

Asst Commissioner Adams said the scene had taken a toll on the first responders involved and urged the community to “wrap their arms around each other” and be patient as police continue their investigation.

“This will take time, it won’t be quick, but I’m very comfortable that the police have a thorough response in place that will remedy this situation in the shortest possible time frame,” he said.

Kids' deaths a 'tragic loss'

The mining town’s mayor Peter Carter told The West Australian the children’s deaths are a “tragic loss”.

“All I know is that three children have lost their lives, and one is an infant I’ve been told. It’s just tragic, you don’t wish this on a family,” he said.

“All I can say is Hedland is a beautiful community and they will get behind this family in every way they can and support them.

“It’s a tight community, it’s a beautiful community and this family are going to need a lot of support.”

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