NEED TO KNOW
Two young sisters have died following a fire that fully engulfed a home in Queensland, Australia, on Sunday, Feb. 1
The siblings were treated for breathing difficulties in the hospital prior to their deaths
Two teenage boys were also treated in the hospital after escaping the blaze
Two young sisters have died following a devastating house fire in Queensland, Australia.
On Friday, Feb. 6, the Queensland Police confirmed in areleasethat the siblings died on Thursday following a fire that occurred at their family home in the city of Townsville on Sunday, Feb. 1.
"Emergency services were called to the Gum Court address around 5:30 a.m. following reports of the property being fully alight," authorities said.
"Two teenage boys were able to escape the fire, with emergency services able to extract a two-year-old girl and a 13-year-old girl from the house," the release added.
The sisters have been identified as sisters, Hallie, 2, and Evie, 13, according to theAustralian Broadcasting Corporation(ABC),news.com.auand9NEWS.
Both girls were taken to the Townsville University Hospital in a critical condition after suffering breathing difficulties. The boys who escaped the blaze were reported to have sustained smoke inhalation injuries, per ABC.
Never miss a story — sign up forPEOPLE's free daily newsletterto stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from juicy celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.
While it's currently unclear what caused the fire, police stated in their release that the incident is not being treated as suspicious.
"There are no words to describe the pain being experienced by the girls' parents, Karah and Zac," a statement by the Townsville Hospital and Health Service on behalf of the family, read, per ABC and aGoFundMepage.
"Both parents would like to thank friends, extended family and the wider community for the care, compassion and support shown during this incredibly difficult time," the statement continued.
"As the family grieves and supports their other children and loved ones, they kindly ask that their privacy is respected," the statement added.
A spokesperson from the family also said in a statement earlier this week that the girls' mother Karah worked as a nurse at the Townsville University Hospital, per ABC.
They added that the mother was a "devoted single mother of four."
"She has spent her career caring for others and is now facing unimaginable heartbreak, while also having lost her family home," the spokesperson added. "The emotional, physical and financial strain on her and the wider family is overwhelming."
PEOPLE has contacted the Queensland Police Department and the Townsville Hospital and Health Service for comment.
Read the original article onPeople
