A man accused of manslaughter over the deaths of two young children has been found dead less than six weeks after his release on bail.

Matthew McAuliffe, 24, was due to face Melbourne Magistrates Court this morning.

He was charged in September with two counts of negligent manslaughter and one count of negligently causing serious injury for leaving three children aged under five home alone before a house fire occurred.

However, a magistrate struck out all charges against McAuliffe today.

"I confirm that the prosecution of Matthew McAuliffe was discontinued this morning as a result of his death," an Office of Public Prosecutions spokeswoman told AAP.

Two young girls, aged one and five, died in the September 2024 blaze in Sydenham, in Melbourne's northwest, and a third child suffered ser

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