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ABC News
ABC News
National

Margaret Hawke pleads guilty to triple-murder of children after Port Hedland house fire

A mother has pleaded guilty to murdering her three children, whose bodies were found after a fire at the family's home in Port Hedland, in Western Australia's Pilbara region.

Margaret Dale Hawke was charged after fire ripped through the Anderson Street property in July.

Inside, authorities found the bodies of Hawke's 10-year-old daughter and two sons, aged five months and seven years.

Hawke entered the guilty pleas when she appeared briefly in the Stirling Gardens Magistrates court in Perth via video link from Bandyup Prison, where she has been held since her arrest.

She also pleaded guilty to a charge of causing criminal damage by fire.

Hawke was again remanded in custody until she faces a sentencing hearing in the Supreme Court in April.

Hawke was treated in hospital after the fire before being charged with the three counts of murder.

She now faces a possible life jail term.

Community left reeling

The murders shattered the Port Hedland community, where the family was well known.

At the time, Police Commissioner Col Blanch described the community as strong one, saying the members were working together to try to come to terms with the deaths of the children.

He said part of the investigation was examining whether the children died before or during the fire.

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