Byron hinterland community struggles with death of twin girls

The scenic hills of the Byron hinterland had a sombre edge to their beauty as a community tried to understand the tragic death of twin girls.

Flowers have been left at the entrance to a Goonengerry property where twin girls died on Sunday. Picture: Cath Piltz

Beneath the scenic beauty of the Byron hinterland is the grief of a devastated community struggling to come to terms with the tragic death of four-year-old twins.

Those not a part of the close-knit communities of Goonengerry, Rosebank, Federal, Eltham or Mullumbimby could be excused for wondering why the area felt deeply sombre.

The impact of Sunday morning’s tragedy was evident on the faces of those in general stores, tending their lawns and trying to get on with their business.

Police believe the girls died after breathing in smoke which could have been caused by a lit candle that had been left on a piano.

Police believe the piano had given off toxic fumes when it started to smoulder.

Rain was falling gently on Monday morning when a neighbour to the property where the girls died pulled in to the Mafeking Road entrance to collect some mail and flowers.

“It is so sad,” she said.

“The family are grieving and it’s too soon to talk.”

The rain continued.

A resident of the Nunkeri Multi Occupancy commune arrived at the entrance soon after.

He said there were eight families that lived there.

“The girls were just visiting,” he said.

“Nobody really knows what really happened.”

Flowers have been left at the entrance to a Goonengerry property where twin girls died on Sunday. Picture: Cath Piltz

Tweed/Byron Police District commander Superintendent Dave Roptell on Sunday said the girls had been visiting their father and did not usually live at the property.

He said the fire had been smouldering for “a period of time” when the alarm was raised after somebody went in to check on the girls.

He said the girls had been sleeping “fairly close” to the piano.

“It was unbelievably devastating,” Superintendent Roptell said.

Police investigations into the tragedy are continuing.