Three children have been airlifted to hospital after a fire at their home in West Cork.

All three children are under 2 years of age.

The incident happened around 6 o'clock this evening in the Drinagh area.

It is understood a petrol canister exploded in the garden of the family home, injuring the children.

Two of the children are twins aged under 1 year old while the third child is thought to be 18 months old.

Paramedics treated the children at the scene before calling on the Coastguard's Rescue 115 helicopter from Shannon.

The children and their parents were airlifted to Cork University Hospital.

The children are said to be in a serious condition.