GoFundMe set up for teen killed in Macquarie Fields house fire

Friends and community members left shattered by the death of 14 year-old Tahma Jones are now pitching in to help his family with the funeral costs.

Family and friends of a teenager killed in a southwest Sydney house fire are banding together to help pay for his funeral.

A GoFundMe campaign has been set up for 14-year old Tahma Jones, who died during a sleepover at a friend’s house.

The home caught fire about 1.30am on Wednesday.

Friend Tristan Dunphy has set out to raise $10000 to help Tahma’s family pay for his funeral, writing that the teen’s death had impacted “the whole” Macquarie Fields community.

“Every dollar donated will be greatly appreciated, if you can’t donate, sharing this fundraiser helps just as much,” Mr Dunphy wrote.

“ (Tahma’s) death has left an impact on the whole community … fly high, (he was) taken too soon.”

An investigation is underway after Tahma’s body was found following a house fire in Macquarie Fields. Picture: Kaitlyn Hudson-O'Farrell

The GoFundMe has raised over $5000 in less than 24 hours, with the money said to go directly to Tahma’s grandmother, who was his guardian, and his sister.

Another fundraiser has also been set up for the family whose Montana Way home was destroyed during the intense blaze.

Family friend Paul Mackin said the single mother and her six kids had only just moved in after a long period of homelessness and had now “lost everything”.

“The house of one of our friends – a single mum – has burned down … this beautiful family of seven has only recently been housed after being homeless for quite a long period, they have now lost everything,” Mr Mackin wrote.

“To make matters worse the kids lost a close friend in the fire … let‘s all dig deep and try to get this family back on track.“

It comes as Tahma is believed to have died while taking cover after an intense fire broke out at the property in Sydney’s southwest.

A woman and her five children managed to escape the flames quickly, but neighbours said they heard screams as the teenager was found to be missing.

Multiple fire crews battled to control the intense blaze, which engulfed the home and saw neighbours flee as it threatened their houses, but Tahma remained unaccounted for several hours.

It’s believed investigators discovered the teenager’s body hiding under a bed on the second floor as they surveyed the destruction later on Wednesday morning.

The cause of the fire is still unknown.

NSW Police Campbelltown City Commander Superintendent Julian Griffiths said a brawl outside the house on Tuesday night would be investigated, but no charges have been laid.

He called Tahma’s death “tragic”.

“(The brawl) is being made aware to the investigators and will be encompassed into the scope of the investigation,” he said.

“It’s a tragic situation where a young life has been lost,” he said.

It is not yet clear who was involved in the brawl.

The scene on Wednesday morning in Macquarie Fields. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Damian Shaw

Fire and Rescue Deputy Commissioner Jeremy Fewtrell said Tahma was unable to escape the blaze because he was stuck on the second floor.

He said while a smoke alarm alerted residents, the blaze spread quickly and firefighters couldn’t reach the trapped 14 year-old despite best efforts.

“Heat rises and we had a very, very intense fire with flames coming out of the windows several metres so being upstairs would have been a very unpleasant position to be in and very difficult to escape from,” he said.

“The fire was so great and strong and white that it just was not safe. And (firefighters) just physically couldn’t withstand the heat and stay there any longer.”

NSW Fire and Rescue crews mopped up the smouldering ruins of the home yesterday as accelerant detection crews and the canine unit scoured the scene for clues yesterday, using drones and a Polair helicopter to get the full picture of the incident.

The fire badly damaged the home’s wooden inner structure, meaning fire investigators and police couldn’t safely get into the back bedroom where the Tahma’s body was found for several hours.

The burnt out house in Macquarie Fields on Wednesday morning. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Damian Shaw

Grieving family friends remembered Tahma as a “respectful, beautiful boy” outside the burnt home.

Local resident Gloria, whose son was “friends” with the teen, broke down at the scene of the incident as she learnt the 14 year-old had died.

“He was the most respectful, beautiful boy, he always looked out for my son,” Gloria said.

“A lot of people in Macquarie Fields knew him, he was a gentle soul … I’m so shocked and heartbroken.”

Gloria’s partner James Cooper remembered Tahma as “a good kid”.

“He was so respectful, if he stayed over he would always do the dishes and make his bed,” Mr Cooper said.

Shannon Clarke, a friend of Tahma’s remembered the teen as “a lovely kid”.

“We are all honestly lost for words right now, but if there’s one thing I can share is that he was a lovely kid he was always so kind to everyone even on his bad days,” Mr Clarke said.

“He was always trying to help people in need and wouldn’t expect anything in return. He will be truly missed and never forgotten”.

Neighbours of the Macquarie Fields property said they “heard screams” as the fire broke out.

“I was in bed, I heard a lot of screaming and yelling, looked out the door and the house was on fire,” a neighbour named Maureen said.

“My neighbour was screaming “Get the kids out, get the kids out.”

Maureen said the loss of Tahma, a “well-known” local boy who lived two streets from the site of the blaze, was “very sad”.

“He was a cheeky boy, a bit rowdy but still a good kid, a normal teenager,” Maureen said.

“I know his grandmother – she’s devastated.”

Tahma’s grandmother, his primary carer, went to the site on Wednesday afternoon, comforted by friends and relatives as police removed her grandson’s body from the home.

Police were seen speaking to the remaining children that lived at the property and escorted several adults away for questioning in relation to the incident.

Inquiries continue.