Arson squad detectives have taken over the investigation of a house fire in Geraldton which left three boys have significant burns.
Three boys aged between 12 and 14 are now all in a critical condition at Perth Children's Hospital.
Another child received treatment at the Geraldton Health Campus before being discharged last night.
Acting Inspector Chris Martin said multiple calls were made to emergency services shortly after 4pm reporting a loud bang noise.
Senior Sergeant Martin said three of the boys were found at the scene, and a fourth person was found at a nearby residence.
"Information received was the house was on fire and several people had serious burn injuries," he said.
Children got help from neighbours
Senior Sergeant Martin said the children sought help from neighbours.
"We understand some of the children actually left the house, prior to the police attending and sought some medical assistance," he said.
"Some of the residents are quite concerned about the confronting images of what happened.
"Some of them did assist one of them getting to the hospital as quickly as possible, others were escorted by police, others were escorted by an ambulance."
He has thanked neighbours and the public who acted quickly to help the children.
"Our thoughts at the moment go out to the family, it's obviously a stressful, distressing situation for them to handle and our thoughts are with those four children who were injured as a result of the fire and we hope they pull through as quickly as possible," he said.
Senior Sergeant Martin said the scene was difficult for all involved.
"Attending police officers were presented with quite a distressing scene," he said.
"The house was obviously visually on fire, there was a lot of windows smashed, there was flames billowing from the roof of the building, and there was a number of young adults who had left the premises who had received some injuries."
The arson squad is combing the scene today and Senior Sergeant Martin said the presence of an accelerant is part of their investigation.
"We do believe there may have been some accelerant involved but the investigation continues today," he said.
Senior Sergeant Martin confirmed that arson squad detectives have taken over the investigation from local police.
Firefighters praised
DFES District Officer Kieran Mussen said it took about one hour to bring the blaze under control.
"Crews initially attempted a front door search and entry however the roof collapsed as they were making entry so they've repositioned themselves around to the rear of the premises," he said.
Mr Mussen said eight crews including career and volunteer firefighters fought the blaze.
"Crews did an outstanding job, they brought the fire under control very rapidly and put themselves at risk for that initial internal search and rescue, they are to be commended," he said.
"The house was fully involved, it was a very intense fire, a very large smoke plume that could be seen from several kilometres away.
"The roof was collapsed and the house was fully involved in the fire."
He said the cause of the fire has not yet been established.
The damage to the home is estimated at about $300,000.
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