By Alex Crowe
The brother of two children killed in a shed fire on Sunday has died in hospital, days after attempting to save his younger siblings by sheltering them from the flames.
Isaac McGregor, 4, suffered extensive burns when the shed in the backyard of his Corio home caught fire, claiming the lives of his brother Saige, 3, and sister Ashlynn, 18 months.
Victoria Police advised Isaac had passed away in the Royal Children’s Hospital on Wednesday afternoon. They said his sister Mavis, 6, remained in hospital in a critical condition.
The children’s father Kane McGregor said Isaac had tried to protect his siblings when a couch in the family’s shed caught fire in the backyard of their Corio home, on the northern outskirts of Geelong.
McGregor said his son had clinically died on Sunday and had been revived at the scene after suffering third-degree burns to more than 80 per cent of his body.
He said Isaac was showing signs of liver and kidney failure, when he spoke to the media outside the Royal Children’s on Tuesday.
The children’s mother Jasmine Beck, 26, rushed to pull the children from the burning shed after smelling smoke on Sunday morning. Sadly, Saige and Ashlynn both died at the scene.
Beck suffered minor burns to her hands when she attempted to rescue the children. Both parents have spoken of their grief while visiting Isaac and Mavis’ Melbourne hospital bedsides in the days since the tragedy.
“You just couldn’t ask for better kids. I’m just shattered,” McGregor told media outside the hospital on Tuesday.
Victoria Police has determined the fire was not suspicious, and its exact cause will likely form part of an investigation undertaken by the coroner in coming weeks.
The four siblings, described by family friends as inseparable, were often seen by neighbours riding their bikes on the street outside their Corio home.
McGregor has thanked the neighbours who rushed to help after the shed was engulfed in flames at about 10.30am on Sunday.
He said Mavis had not received as significant burns as Isaac had during the blaze. He said she was in a stable condition and was expected to be “on the mend soon” on Tuesday.
A Go Fund Me page has been set up for the family and there has been an outpouring of grief from members of the community. More than $56,000 has been raised to help pay for funeral and medical costs.
“Issac sadly grew his wings and reunited with his baby brother and sister. He will always be remembered as the heroic young boy who gave his life trying to protect his siblings,” the organiser posted on Wednesday.
“We thank everyone so much from the bottom of our hearts for all the donations and support. This community is absolutely incredible.”
A vigil for the family is expected to take place at Rosewell Reserve in Corio on Saturday evening.
With Lachlan Abbott
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