Girl, 5, dies in horror Swansea house fire as woman, 87, suffers serious burns

Girl, 5, dies in horror Swansea house fire as woman, 87, suffers serious burns New South Wales Police has confirmed a five-year-old girl has sadly died in a house fire in Swansea, Australia - an 87-year-old woman remains in hospital in a serious condition A five-year-old girl has tragically died in a house fire. Emergency services were called to Northcote Avenue in Swansea, Australia at around 1.30pm local time on Thursday August 20. The house which had suffered serious damage from fire was occupied by an 87-year-old woman and two five-year-old girls. Sadly one of the girls was unable to be saved, but the other girl was uninjured and the elderly woman remains in hospital in a serious condition. Police have issued an update on the fire, and released more details about the tragic incident. A New South Wales Police spokesperson said: "Police remain at the scene of a fatal house fire that occurred in Lake Macquarie yesterday afternoon. About 1.30pm (Thursday 20 August 2026), emergency services were called to Northcote Avenue, Swansea, following reports of a fire. "Officers attached to Lake Macquarie Police District arrived and found a house well alight. At the scene, police were told that the house was occupied by an 87-year-old woman and two five-year-old girls. "One of the girls was located during a search of the home and was unable to be revived. Police have been told the other girl was uninjured. The elderly woman was taken to the John Hunter Hospital in a serious condition, suffering burns. "A 16-year-old boy who attempted to gain entry to the property was taken to hospital for the treatment of a leg injury. A 37-year-old man who had forced entry to the home to assist was not injured. "The fire has since been extinguished by Fire and Rescue NSW firefighters, and a crime scene has been established. The home is being assessed by an engineer, and officers will complete a forensic examination of the home today (Friday 21 August 2026). "A section of Northcote Road remains closed, with police on scene able to assist local traffic." [Image text:] PARBURY NO THROUGH ROAD