A man with a lengthy criminal history, accused of leaving three children aged under five home alone and hearing their screams as fire engulfed the property, will be freed on bail.

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Matthew Mcauliffe, 24, is the second person to be released on bail over the 2024 blaze, after the mother of the children, Shania Lee, was freed less than a month ago.

Two young girls, aged one and five, died in the fire and a third toddler suffered serious injuries.

Mcauliffe and Lee had left the Sydenham home, in Melbourne's northwest, minutes before a smoke alarm sounded.

Police allege they heard the children scream via security video on the woman's phone.

Mca

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