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Father and Young Son Battling for Life After Devastating House Fire Engulfs Family of Five

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A boy and his father are fighting for their lives in hospital after a fire ripped through a home in Melbourne’s north-west overnight.

An oil heater is believed the be the source of a blaze which left four members of a family-of-five with serious burns in Hillside.

Firefighters arrived at the scene about 9.25pm to find the home engulfed in flames.

Family injured in house fire at Hillside
The family-of-five escaped their burning home in Melbourne’s north-west. (GoFundMe)

The family, including three children, escaped their burning house as neighbours rushed to the scene to help.

James, 32, and his son Zayne, 7, remain in hospital in a critical conditon after suffering third-degree burns.

James is now in intensive care with burns across his body and deep cuts to his arms, according to a fundraiser set up for the family.

Zayne is also in intensive care with burns to his face, hands, and feet, where he remains in a critical condition.

James’ partner Rochelle, 30, and their older son Izaiah, nine, suffered third-degree burns but are in a stable condition.

Their youngest child Ava-Leigh was not injured.

Fire at home in Hillside, Melbourne
It is believed a heater caused the blaze. (9News)

The two adults were taken to The Alfred Hospital while the boys were taken to the Royal Children’s Hospital.

A neighbour told 9News that James helped his children escape the burning home by smashing a window and pulling them out to safety one by one.

It took 40 minutes for firefighters to control the blaze.

James’ sister Laressa Turetahi said the family have a “long and painful road to recovery”.

“This young family has lost their home, their belongings, and their sense of safety all in a single night,” Turetahi said.

Fire at home in Hillside, Melbourne
James’ sister Laressa Turetahi said the family have a “long and painful road to recovery”. (9News)

Fire crews remain on the scene.

It is not being treated as suspicious and it is believed a heater caused the blaze.

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