The fire started around 2:10 am at a home in Bowen Mountain, a semi-rural suburb northwest of Sydney. New South Wales police confirmed that two bodies were found after the blaze was brought under control. Five people initially escaped, but two were missing, according to police.
Four people were taken to hospital with smoke inhalation and minor injuries, NSW Ambulance reported. The hospitalized individuals include a man in his 30s, a teenage male, and two primary school-aged boys. About 60 firefighters from Fire and Rescue NSW and the Rural Fire Service responded to the incident, Nine News reported. Firefighters had to withdraw before the roof caved in, according to Nine News. The fire was brought under control around 3:30 am.
A crime scene has been established at the home, police said. An investigation into the cause of the fire and formal identification of the bodies has commenced. The cause of the fire remains unknown, and the identities of the deceased have not been released. It is also unclear whether working smoke alarms were present in the house.