Neighbours and community members in Swansea are mourning the death of a five-year-old girl as they come together to support her family.
Bouquets of flowers were placed at the end of the street, where a police roadblock was set up to block access on Friday, as the community struggles to come to terms with the tragedy.
The five-year-old girl was believed to be one of three occupants of the Northcote Avenue home when fire broke out on Thursday.
A woman, aged 87, suffered serious burns and remained in hospital on Friday. Another five-year-old girl was taken to hospital for assessment, NSW Ambulance said, although police report she was not injured.
It is understood the fire spread rapidly and passers-by struggled to gain access to free the children.
One neighbour told the Newcastle Herald on Friday that news of the young girl's death had hit the community hard.
"A lot of people knew them and there are kids on the street that would play with the girls," they said.
"It's extremely sad."
They said it was quickly clear that the fire was extremely serious.
"We could smell the smoke and when we heard the sirens we knew it could be bad."
About 1.30pm on Thursday emergency services were called to the Northcote Avenue home. Officers attached to Lake Macquarie Police District arrived and found a house well alight, with the fire already having spread to a neighbouring property.
After 40 firefighters worked to minimise the blaze, one of the young girls was found in a search of the home and was unable to be revived.
An NSW Ambulance spokesperson confirmed the second five-year-old was transported to John Hunter Hospital in a stable condition.
The elderly woman was taken to the John Hunter Hospital in a serious condition, suffering burns.
A hospital spokesperson said she was in a stable condition on Friday afternoon.
The scene remained cordoned off by police tape as fire services and police remained at the scene on Friday.
Officers were completing a forensic examination of the home and police said a crime scene had been established. The site was being assessed by an engineer.
The community is now coming together to support the family, with a GoFundMe page active.
The fundraiser said the community was rocked by the loss.
"The family have not only experienced the heartbreaking loss of a beloved family member but have also lost the family home that has been at the heart of their lives for over 50 years," the fundraising page said.
"Generations of memories were created within those walls, making this loss even more devastating.
"In the space of a single night, the family have suffered a loss that no family should ever have to endure.
"Alongside their grief, they now face the overwhelming challenge of navigating the practical realities that follow such a tragedy."
The fundraiser said every donation would help provide immediate support and assist the family as they work towards restoring some sense of stability and normality in the weeks and months ahead.
"The Swansea and Caves Beach community has always been known for looking after its own, and we know there are many people across Australia who will want to stand beside the family during this heartbreaking chapter of their lives."
A 16-year-old TAFE student, now hailed a hero, who attempted to gain entry to the property was taken to hospital for the treatment of a leg injury on Thursday.
Another 37-year-old man who had forced entry to the home to assist was not injured.
Police investigations were continuing through Friday evening.
Donations to the family through the gofundme can be made at gofundme.com/f/swansea-heads-house-fire.
