Daily London
WARNING: Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander readers are advised this story contains an image of a person who is deceased.
Five-month-old Desmond and two-year-old Maddison were staying with family friends at a duplex on Opal Street in Emerald when the blaze erupted about 6.48am (7.48am AEDT) today.
Two others also died in the fire, including local man Mathew Chilly as well as a teenager.
The children’s mother made it out of the duplex alive and was taken to hospital.
The toddlers’ great aunt, Sally Woulfe, said the tragedy would affect a lot of families in the small community.
“Desmond was only born five months ago,” Woulfe told 9News.
“Maddi, just a bright little girl, just like a normal two-year-old.
“They were loved, they’re an Aboriginal family so lots of aunties, lots of uncles.”
The children’s father was away in Toowoomba for medical treatment.
Investigators are looking at a number of potential causes, including an electric scooter battery.
“We don’t actually know what happened yet,” Woulfe said.
Senior Sergeant Peter McFarlane said the tragedy would be felt for some time.
“Learning four lives are lost inside, it’s been quite traumatic on all emergency services,” McFarlane said.
It took fire crews about 30 minutes to bring the blaze under control, while some neighbours pulled out garden hoses and water bottles in a desperate bid to douse the flames.
“The intensity of that fire is something that they would not be able to stop or make an effective attack on, but just we really do appreciate their support,” Queensland Fire Department Inspector Scott Castree
Premier David Crisafulli described the incident as a “real tragedy”.
“I just want to start by saying how incredibly sad it is to see the loss of four lives in that tragic house fire, and how much that will affect the local community,” Crisafulli said.
“When you deal with smaller towns, there is no doubt that those connections will be felt and the loss will be felt so deeply.
“The connections of school and support, community groups, emergency services personnel … and the tragedy that it will ripple through that community.”
Crisafulli also expressed sympathy for the families of the victims and the neighbours who witnessed the blaze.
“On behalf of the government, I express my deepest sympathies for what is an incredibly harrowing experience,” he said.
Central Highlands Mayor Janice Moriarty said the council was “deeply saddened” by news of the fire.
“Council understands that authorities are investigating the cause of the fire, and we offer our full support and cooperation to responding agencies,” Moriarty said in a statement.
“On behalf of the Central Highlands Regional Council and the broader community, our thoughts extend to the family and friends of those impacted.”
The family is rallying support through a online fundraising page to help surviving members who have been struck by the tragedy.
