Tahma Teara-Jones, Macquarie Fields: Grandmother pleads for information after teen killed in house fire
The grandmother of 14-year-old Tahma Teara-Jones is begging for anyone with information to come forward after the teenager died in a horrific Macquarie Fields house fire.
Macarthur
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Police say a horror house fire which killed a southwest Sydney teenager earlier this year was deliberately lit and believe local children may have the answers to how it started.
Emergency services rushed to Montana Way, Macquarie Fields, just after 1.30am on June 30 after neighbours reported smoke coming from a two-storey brick home.
Multiple Fire and Rescue NSW crews arrived to find the home engulfed in flames and saw neighbours flee as it threatened their homes.
Fire crews managed to get all occupants out of the home except for one teenage boy and later found the body of 14-year-old Tahma Teara-Jones in an upstairs bedroom.
Initial reports claim Tahma is believed to have died while taking cover after the fire broke out at the property with neighbours saying they heard screams as the fire took hold.
The teenager’s body was later found under a bed on the second floor. Police were told the teenager snuck over from his nearby grandmother’s house to have a sleepover with a friend.
Forensic officers examined the crime scene and found the fire had been deliberately lit, prompting detectives from the Financial Crimes Squad’s Arson Unit to take over the investigation under Strike Force Tedsa.
A memorial for Tahma has since been built outside the home while police are re-appealing for anyone with information to come forward.
Arson Unit Coordinator, Detective Chief Inspector Richard Puffett, said Strike Force Tedsa detectives are investigating several lines of inquiry and believe the fire was deliberately lit.
“An examination of the scene indicated that no other causes were readily apparent, as in no natural causes,” Det Chief Insp Puffett told media on Tuesday morning.
“We believed that the origin of fire was external to the premises, so a strong indication that the fire is in fact deliberate.”
Det Chief Insp Puffet said police has spoken with dozens of residents and witnesses but police believe there are still people, particularly local children, who may know how the fire started.
“Tahma’s family deserve answers,” he said.
While there is no evident an accelerate was used, Det Chief Insp Puffet said there was a strong indication the fire started on the outside of the house on a “deck area” which was accessible by the public.
“We know there’s more information out there, we really need people to come forward and assist the family to help understand how it took place,” he said.
Police are investigating a brawl that occurred in the street on the night before the fire.
“We are still examining whether there’s links whether there are links between the two events. But of course, it’s of interest to us,” Det Chief Insp Puffet said.
Tahma’s heartbroken grandmother, Barbara, said she had been “struggling” following the death of her grandson.
“It’s been very hard but we just want the truth to come out,” she said through tears on Tuesday morning.
“Someone must know something.”
“If anyone can help us it would be lovely to find the truth out for this boy who didn’t have a chance to live.”
Barbara said Tahma had been “well loved” and was looking towards a bright future but it was “taken away from him”.
“Everyone can remember his smile, his walk, he was beautiful,” she said.
“He had a lot of friends ... talking isn’t going to bring him back.”
Family friend, Tristan Dunphy, said Tahma’s family, as well as the local community, are supportive of efforts by police to investigate the cause of the fire.
“This is about the death of Tahma, who meant a lot to his family and the community. He had his whole life ahead of him,” Mr Dunphy said.
“If you have any information about his death, please consider the trauma Tahma’s family are currently going through and reach out and speak to authorities.”
Mr Dunphy created a GoFundMe for the boy’s family, writing the death impacted “the whole” Macquarie Fields community.
Another fundraiser was also 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”.
Grieving family and friends have remembered Tahma as a “respectful, beautiful boy”.
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”.
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