Mum remains critical, kids stable following 'suspicious' Melbourne house fire
A mother remains in a critical condition in hospital while her two girls are in a stable condition following a suspicious house fire in Melbourne's south-east.
The woman in her 30s and her primary school-aged children were critically injured on Wednesday night when a gas cylinder at the Terrigal Street, Chadstone property exploded.
Police deemed the fire suspicious on Thursday and are investigating the cause.
On Friday morning, the Royal Children's Hospital confirmed the two children were in a "stable condition" and the Alfred Hospital confirmed the mother's condition remained critical.
Police said on Thursday a male occupant of the house was not under arrest and was not at home at the time of the fire.
Fire Rescue Victoria commander Paul Eckholdt said rescuing the mother and children from the home was challenging because firefighters had to force entry and wear breathing apparatus.
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