The quiet of Rookery Nook, Maraval, went up in flames early on Monday when three children from one family died in a house fire.

Newsday arrived as fire officers extinguished the last of the blaze and emergency medical workers treated burn victims.

Speaking with reporters, Chief Fire Officer Arnold Bristo said when fire officers arrived after getting a report of a fire at around 7.36 am, they saw the building was already well ablaze.

Three siblings, Ezekiel, 17, Kate, six and Kaden Burke, three, died as they were trapped in the house.

He said the children's father, Troy Burke, survived, but was injured when he tried to rescue the children.

Their mother Genevieve Rodriguez escaped the fire.

Several videos shared on social media showed neighbours and passers-by rushing to the burning house to try and assist the children.

[caption id="attachment_903470" align="alignnone" width="1024"] Firemen and police on the scene where three children perished in a house fire on Monday morning. Photo by Sureash Cholai[/caption]

Newsday understands among those who tried to help were a doubles vendor and an assistant superintendent of police from the Western Division, who were injured in the attempt. A fire officer was also injured.

The house was destroyed but no other buildings in the area were affected.

Several relatives were visibly shaken by the deaths and consoled each other as they were questioned by fire officers and police.

[caption id="attachment_903468" align="alignnone" width="986"] Photo by Sureash Cholai[/caption]

Residents from the area also gathered in the carpark of KFC on Saddle Road as fire officers work to put out the fire.

Bristo offered condolences to the Burke family for their losses. He urged the public to take the necessary safety precautions to avoid house fires and ensur there was a clear emergency exit in the event of a fire.

"Simple things like a smoke detector can help. Sometimes we take too much time to secure ourselves, but we don't take enough time to think about how to get out of a house safely if it's on fire.

"Keeping a (fire) extinguisher in your house is also important."

Newsday spoke to Port of Spain North/St Ann's West MP Stuart Young, who said the deaths were disturbing and promised to reach out to the family.

"When I received the news of this tragic and awful loss of life, it disturbed me to my core," he said. "I would like to personally extend my heartfelt condolences and sympathy to the parents and family of the young children that we lost. I pray for the parents and family.

[caption id="attachment_903467" align="alignnone" width="826"] In anguish: Relatives of the three children who perished in a house fire at No 1 Rookery Nook in Maraval comfort each other. Photo by Sureash Cholai[/caption]

"I have been in contact with the councillor, who gave me a full briefing, and I shall reach out to the family."

Newsday also spoke to councillor for St Jame