Raven Contini, 8, farewelled in emotional funeral after dying in Thornside townhouse fire

A little girl killed in a ferocious townhouse fire on Brisbane’s bayside has been farewelled in an emotional funeral.

Family and friends, including mother Chloe Rodgers-Falk and stepdad Matthew Rodgers-Falk, attend the funeral for Raven Kaye Contini 8.

• Timeline of tragedy: Everything we know

A little girl killed in a ferocious townhouse fire on Brisbane’s bayside has been farewelled in an emotional funeral, with family describing her as fearless and one of a kind.

Raven Contini, 8, and her babysitter Stephanie “Stephy” Ryan, 31, died after fire ripped through the townhouse on Bayside Court in Thorneside about 7am on October 6.

Police are still investigating the cause of the fire.

Friends and family fought back tears and embraced as they arrived at Raven’s celebration of life on Friday afternoon.

Raven Contini, 8, died in a townhouse fire on Brisbane's bayside earlier this month.

Her mother, Chloe Rodgers-Falk clutched a teddy bear and toy turtle as she entered the Garden Chapel at the Great Southern Memorial Park.

Ms Rodgers-Falk, dressed in rainbow colours, rested her head on her husband, Matt Rodgers-Falk’s shoulder as she too fought back tears.

Raven’s grandmother, Mandy said the little girl “fought so hard to stay in this world” after being born premature at 26 weeks. She spent three months in hospital.

Raven grew up to have “no fear”, and they nicknamed her Little Houdini as she regularly hid in small spaces inside their house.

Mandy said Stephy was also part of the family and they had known her for 12 years.

“(Stephy) absolutely adored Raven…I know they will be together now,” she said.

Police are still investigating the cause of the fire. Picture: NewsWire/Tertius Pickard

Raven’s grandfather, James, said he had fond memories with her watching crabs at the beach and running away from waves.

They loved baking together whenever she’d come over to visit, and he said life would never be the same.

“Every second Saturday will be missing a certain something … she was loved and adored,” James said.

Raven Contini, 8, died in a townhouse fire on Brisbane's bayside earlier this month.

Raven had a sparkly, bright and bubbly personality and loved pink, but she also loved heavy metal music, often rocking out to bands in her living room.

Raven had an infectious belly laugh, and was learning to rollerskate and skip with a skipping rope when she died.

A slide show of photos of Raven and her family was played under the song Happy, by Pharrell Williams.

Tributes have been laid at a Thorneside unit complex, where a ferocious townhouse fire claimed the life of eight-year-old Raven Contini, and her babysitter Steph Ryan. Picture: NewsWire/Tertius Pickard

It featured photos of her as a baby, from her eighth birthday party in August, and videos of her laughing and blowing bubbles.

The order of service booklet also features an animated picture of a turtle – Raven’s nickname – with the words “I am with you always”.

Raven’s mother and stepfather made a brief speech, thanking those in attendance and saying she was “our girl”.

Eight-year-old Raven Contini died after a devastating fire ripped through a family home in Thorneside, south of Brisbane. Pictured with her mum, Chloe, and stepdad, Matt. Picture Supplied

A guard of honour was formed as Raven’s tiny casket was loaded into the hearse with heavy metal music playing over the speakers.

Police Commissioner Steve Gollschewski said on Wednesday police were still investigating the cause of the fatal fire.

“That remains an active investigation,” Mr Gollschewski said.

“We’ve seen the autopsies that needed to be undertaken, have been undertaken.

“There is still forensic testing that is underway that we are waiting the outcomes for.

Police have asked for anyone with mobile phone, home security or dashcam footage to come forward.

Originally published as Raven Contini, 8, farewelled in emotional funeral after dying in Thornside townhouse fire