Three young children were airlifted to Cork University Hospital after suffering serious burn injuries following an explosion at their home in west Cork on Tuesday evening.
A pair of five-month-old twins and a 17-month-old child, were injured in the incident at their house at Knockmore, Drinagh, in Co Cork at 6.30pm.
The children’s parents – who are in their 20s – raised the alarm and paramedics and a doctor attended the scene.
All three children were airlifted by the Irish Coast Guard helicopter from Shannon Rescue 115 from a field near their house to Cork University Hospital.
It is understood the children’s parents accompanied them on the helicopter to hospital where they are being treated for serious burn injuries.
Gardaí have cordoned off the house and Garda technical experts are due to carry out a forensic examination of the scene to try to establish what caused the explosion.