A special NSW Police taskforce will look at whether there are any suspicious circumstances surrounding the deaths of twin girls in a house fire at Batlow in the Snowy Mountains.
Aisha and Lailani, aged three, were playing inside their Batlow home when a fire rapidly spread throughout the property and also endangered neighbours on Mayday Road.
It's believed their mother, Tanyka Ford, and six-year-old brother were locked outside in the backyard when smoke began billowing out the windows.
Firefighters bashed down the back door, but the sisters died from burns sustained in the incident.
Strike Force Edmondson will include Riverina detectives, Fire and Rescue NSW, and investigators from the State Crime Command Arson Unit.
Superintendent Bob Noble said it was still too early to say whether the fire was deliberately lit or an accident resulting from a burning fireplace.
"There was a fire place in the dwelling, it was burning, it was a cold day in the Alpine area, so that's a factor we will be looking at, but we will look at all sources of ignition," he said.
"These are two little babies who lived a short life and they died suddenly, unexpectedly and in horrific circumstances."
Police have questioned Ms Ford, who has been left "severely traumatised" by the ordeal.
They are also planning to speak to the children's father, who was in nearby Tumut when the fire engulfed the property.
The girls' great aunt Mel Sims described the family's pain in a tribute on Facebook on Tuesday morning.
"It is with a sad heart I share this with all my friends and family, My niece Tanyka Ford [the girls' mother] lost her beautiful twins in a devastating house fire," she said.
"If anyone can help out with a donation no matter how small is it — words can't begin to describe her pain and loss right now — RIP little angels Aisha and Lailani."
The girls' uncle Levi Ford has set up a GoFundMe page, which has raised more than $2,000 dollars in less than 24 hours.
"My sister tragically lost her three-year-old twin daughters, Aisha and Lailani in a house fire, which claimed not only the lives of these two young children, but also their home and belongings," he said.
"I'm making a GoFundMe to help with clothing, food and other items ... needed to help her get back on her feet — Losing everything is hard without having to worry about financials."
Superintendent Noble said the community was already reeling from years of drought and devastation from the recent summer bushfires.
"There is a community that is severely affected by the deaths of these two young people — they were babies, they were twin girls and it's a community that's been through devastation," he said.
"The town is experiencing an economic downturn as well, the people of Batlow are doing it very hard, no doubt this particular family are devastated ... we feel for them."
