A regional Queensland community is in mourning after a devastating house fire in Emerald claimed the lives of two infants, a teenage girl, and a man early Thursday morning.
Emergency services were called to the property on Opal Street around 6.50am, where flames had already engulfed the home. Despite desperate efforts by neighbours using garden hoses to fight the blaze, the inferno proved too fierce.
Inside, firefighters discovered the bodies of five-month-old Desmond, 20-month-old Maddison, a teenage girl, and family friend Matthew Chilly. Two other people managed to escape the fire and were taken to hospital suffering psychological distress.
The two young children, described by relatives as inseparable and full of joy, were the children of young father Jake Symes, who has been left with nothing but grief.
“In one night, Jake lost everything – his babies, his home, and every belonging he owned,” his aunt Sally Woulfe wrote in a GoFundMe appeal launched to help cover funeral costs.
“As a young father, he is now facing the unimaginable pain of having to lay both of his children to rest. Our family is shattered.”
Ms Woulfe described Maddison as “full of life and laughter” and little Desmond as a “gentle, happy baby whose laughter brought light to everyone who met him”.
Senior Sergeant Peter McFarlane said the scene was traumatic for all involved. “It’s been quite traumatic on all emergency services, and our priority is the families and extended families of the victims, but also emergency services workers who will require some support in coming days,” he said. “It was a very sad and tragic scene inside and outside of that fire.”
Specialist officers from Rockhampton and Brisbane are investigating the cause of the blaze, which occurred at a government housing property.
Queensland Premier David Crisafulli described the loss as “incredibly sad” and said it would send shockwaves through the tight-knit regional town. “When you deal with smaller towns, those connections will be felt and the loss will be felt so deeply,” he said. “This is an incredible tragedy, and it is the kind of event that rocks all communities, particularly smaller ones.”
Central Highlands Regional Council Mayor Janice Moriarty also expressed her condolences on behalf of the community. “We are deeply saddened by the tragic fire that occurred early this morning in Emerald,” she said. “Our thoughts extend to the family and friends of those impacted.”
Authorities are urging anyone with information about the Emerald fire to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
If this story has affected you, support is available from Lifeline on 13 11 14 or Beyond Blue on 1300 22 4636.
Images: GoFundMe
