Russell Island fire: Community mourns five young boys killed in horror blaze
Kindy kids were given a heartbreaking message when they arrived after five children died in a fatal fire on Russell Island.
QLD News
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A close family friend has recalled the harrowing moment he arrived to find Samantha Stephenson running from her burning home, screaming for neighbours and her partner to save her five sons.
Mourners from the Russell Island community descended on memorial sites dotted around the town, sharing tears, hugs and words of comfort as they gathered to remember the those lost in the blaze on Sunday morning.
Siblings Zach Stephenson, 11, Harrison Stephenson, 10, four-year-old twins Kyza and Koah Godinet, Nicky Godinet, 3, and their father Wayne Godinet were killed when their home was razed.
Peter MacLaughlin, Ms Stephenson’s former employer and friend, spoke of the events following his arrival at the home to plumes of smoke billowing from the roof.
“Sam came running from her house just screaming and she ran straight to me. She just screamed ‘my children, my children,’ and it just wasn’t looking good,” he said.
“She told me that she smelled smoke and woke Wayne up and he ran upstairs to get the kids and he just screamed at Sam to stay outside.
“Wayne’s dad works for me and he wanted to work today, I told him to take the day off but he could come in tomorrow.
“He just wants to keep busy and keep going. He’s really struggling.”
As the tokens of remembrance grew at the home, one family member was overcome with emotion as she bent down to lay flowers at the makeshift memorial.
As well as flowers and words of support for Ms Stephenson, an Xbox controller and soccer ball were also placed among the tributes.
For this small community, losing six of their own has been described as gut-wrenching, with many of the young family’s neighbours remembering five fun-loving children who were always spotted playing on the streets with each other.
Zoe Periera and her two sons Levi Colson-Tsatas, 5, and Jordan Colson-Tsatas, 4, have been hit hard by the tragic loss of life.
“Jordan was Koah’s best friend, he doesn’t understand; how do you explain to a kid that their best friend isn’t coming to kinder anymore,” Ms Periera said as she watched her son place a teddy bear at the site.
“I just broke down in tears then because Jordan asked where Koah is.
“Kinder have explained to them what has happened, that there was a fire and that Koah and Kyza aren’t coming back to kinder anymore.”
Community members flocked to Bay Island Botanical Garden to pay respect to the local family and the boys.
“It’s just hard to process … it’s pretty unbelievable, it’s really hard to process,” Zach Stephenson’s classmate Charlotte Craig said tearfully.
“He was just such a good person, I don’t get why something so bad would happen.
“He always knew how to make me laugh.”
Charlotte’s mother Tori runs the local bakery in town and said breaking the news to her daughter was gut-wrenching.
“We all just want to do something to help, in times like this everyone pulls together,” she said.
“I am so proud of her (Charlotte), she is just such a good friend, she was more concerned with her mate who was really good friends with Zach then herself.”
Tributes have also been paid online to the young family, with Ms Stephenson’s sister Angela Stephenson thanking the community on Facebook.
“Firstly the Godinets and Stephenson’s want to say thank you for the condolences, love and prayers at this time,” she said.
“We ask that you all continue to respect our space to grieve and make some sense of this tragedy. We are completely broken.
“They are all so loved and forever be loved, my boys and to my hero Wayne.”
Ms Stephenson also asked for donations to the family’s GoFundMe page.
Also at the scene of the fire was state Opposition Leader David Crisafulli.
“I thought it was important that I came over to feel what the community was feeling and there is no doubt that it is very, very raw at the moment, there is a stony silence,” he said.
“To see the way the agencies have mobilised and to have them there at the memorial is a really good thing for the community.
“This will be a really difficult time on the island for a long period and it’s important that everyone knows that they matter, that they will have people to support them.
“The smaller the community the bigger the grief, and this little island is going to need our help.”
A one-minute silence at the local soccer game will be observed on Saturday. GIVIT has partnered with Redland City Council to organise donations for the family.
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