3 Children Were Killed in a Raging House Fire. A Week Later, Police Charged Their 36-Year-Old Mom with Murder

A mother in Australia has been charged with the deaths of her three children following a “suspicious” house fire.

At around 12:30 a.m. local time on Wednesday, May 7, emergency services were called to a home that had been “engulfed by flames” on Merritt Street in the city of Toowoomba. Ellouisa Patricia Brighton’s nine-year-old son was found dead in the debris, while her two daughters later died in the hospital after sustaining life-threatening injuries, according to the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC).

Brighton, 36, — who remains in “critical condition” in the hospital — has since been charged with three counts of murder, three counts of attempted murder and one count of arson, the Queensland Police Service said in a press release on Tuesday, May 13.

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“Following a search of the property, a body believed to be of a 9-year-boy, was discovered inside,” police said in the press release. “Later the same day, a 4-year-old girl and a 7-year-old girl passed away at Queensland Children’s Hospital from their injuries.”

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Authorities confirmed two men, ages 34 and 18, as well as an 11-year-old boy, were able to escape the blaze.

“The 34-year-old man underwent surgery for serious injuries to his arm, while the 18-year-old man and 11-year-old boy were treated for minor injuries,” police said in the press release.

“Following an extensive investigation involving detectives from the Toowoomba Child Protection Investigation Unit with the assistance of the Homicide Investigation Unit, Child Trauma Unit and Specialist Forensic Units, police have charged a 36-year-old woman with three counts of murder (Domestic Violence offence), three counts of attempted murder (Domestic Violence offence) and one count of arson,” police confirmed.

The case was mentioned in the Brisbane Magistrates Court today, with plans to resume on Friday, May 16, per ABC.

Records from interstate child safety authorities are being requested by the police, according to the outlet.

Insiders allegedly told ABC that the fire was “out of the blue” and the family had no prior reports to police or child protection services.

Officials are also reportedly investigating whether child services in other states had reports of the family.

PEOPLE has contacted Queensland Police Service for further comment.