Locals embrace family as three kids die in fire horror
Laine Clark |
A community is rallying around a devastated family reeling from a horror house fire that has killed three children.
A 36-year-old mother-of-five is fighting for her life in a Brisbane hospital after the family home went up in flames.
Two of her daughters, aged four and seven, have died after neighbours helped six people escape the Toowoomba home, west of Brisbane, in the early hours of Wednesday morning.
A body, believed to be her nine-year-old son, was found in the charred remains.
Support has been thrown behind the family’s other members – a 34-year-old man, who is the father of some of the children, and two sons aged 18 and 11.
The older man has been released from hospital along with the 18-year-old, while the 11-year-old was the only one who escaped the burning home unharmed.
Floral tributes and a teddy bear have been placed outside the Toowoomba home as people try to comprehend the tragedy.
Toowoomba mayor Geoff McDonald said the fatal house fire had created a “ripple effect” felt throughout the community.
“When you talk about small children and loss of life that also has a significant effect on schools they attend and therefore families,” he told AAP.
“There’s an investigation into the circumstances and the community would like it resolved as quickly as possible to help move on in some way.
“But it’s a very difficult time for many people.”
The Toowoomba house has been declared a crime scene with police treating the fire as suspicious, calling in homicide detectives.
Police said they hoped to speak to the mother in a bid to understand what happened in the lead-up to the fire.
Medical advice suggested the mother – who is in hospital under police guard – would survive but “things can change quite quickly”, Detective Superintendent George Marchesini said on Thursday.
Support services are on offer at schools of the family’s children.
The community is also doing what it can, with local charity Tony’s Community Kitchen calling for donations and a GoFundMe campaign launched.
“I would like to start this fundraiser in hopes to raise money for his (the 34-year-old’s) children, children’s medical expenses, accommodation, and other supports needed in this hard time,” a family friend wrote on the GoFundMe page.
“This event has been unimaginable and any support would be greatly appreciated.”
Mr McDonald said the fatal fire had a “profound impact” on locals, first responders, brave neighbours who aided the escape and most notably, the affected family.
“This community is one that pulls together in times of adversity, disaster and tragedy,” he said.
“We have started to galvanise support around the family and support networks they have and that will continue.”
AAP
