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Two children die in house blaze Two sisters killed in house fire
(about 4 hours later)
Two young girls have died in a house fire in South Tyneside. Two young sisters have died in a house fire in South Tyneside.
The girls, one believed to be aged 11 or 12 and the other 14, died at the house in Lisle Road, South Shields at 0105 BST, police said. The schoolgirls, aged 12 and 14, died at the house in Lisle Road, South Shields, at 0105 BST, police said.
A 37-year-old man, who suffered serious burns, is in a critical condition at Newcastle's Royal Victoria Infirmary. The girls' father suffered serious burns and is in a critical condition in hospital. Their mother was treated for less serious injuries.
Police said a 37-year-old woman was being treated for less serious injuries. An investigation is under way into the cause of the deaths and blaze. Police said the sisters, whose names have not been released, were found dead in first and second floor rooms. The cause is still being investigated.
The two girls were found dead in first and second floor rooms in the house. Throughout the morning, bouquets of flowers have been handed to police and fire crews to lay at the house, which is currently taped off to the public.
'Tragic incident'
The badly damaged property has green tarpaulin covering the door and the side entrance.
John Baines, group manager for Tyne and Wear Fire and Rescue Service, said four crews had tackled the severe fire.
He said: "This was a tragic incident and our thoughts are with the family of those involved in the fire."
A police spokesman said the names of the two dead youngsters would not be released until relatives had been contacted and the bodies formally identified.
Officers were speaking to neighbours in an attempt to establish if anyone heard or saw anything before the fire started.
The girls' 37-year-old father is being treated at Newcastle's Royal Victoria Infirmary, while their mother, also 37, has been taken to South Tyneside Hospital.