House fire on River St and Wellington St, Mackay
Loved ones have rallied around a family who lost everything in a horror blaze with the sister of the woman pulled from the home revealing how the youngest of the boys, who has severe autism, passed out.
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A crime scene has been declared at the Mackay property where a mother and her two children were evacuated from a burning home as loved ones rally around the family who “lost everything” in the fire.
Kids toys, burnt and warped from the flames were strewn across the lawn of the Wellington St home the next morning, with few objects saved from the fire which swallowed all they owned.
Melinda Wegner is the sister of the woman pulled from the home and has started a GoFundMe campaign for her two sisters Maddison and Charlotte Howells and nephews ages four and two, who had been living there.
“On Tuesday … my sisters and nephews watching on helplessly as they lost everything in a quick moving and fierce house fire,” Ms Wegner wrote.
“The youngest of the boys has severe autism, passed out during the blaze. Maddison suffered smoke inhalation followed by severe panic attacks and was in a state of complete shock.”
The older boy also had some mild smoke inhalation and “was very lucky” given his asthma, Ms Wegner wrote.
“Charlotte thankfully was okay but was left in complete shock and despair,” she wrote
“While everyone made an amazing exit and do not face any life threatening injuries, the next dreadful thing has to happen and that’s starting from scratch.
“They have lost absolutely everything.
“The only things they managed to get out from the fire were their lives, the shirts on their backs and the chest that contains all the memories of our little brother who passed away.”
The fierce blaze broke out about 5.45pm Tuesday at the dwelling on Wellington St with flames visible through the thick smoke.
Multiple fire crews were on scene fighting the blaze, which was at one point under control but reignited about 8pm.
It has been confirmed a mother and her two children were removed from the burning home and later taken to Mackay Base Hospital.
Police completely blocked off Wellington St, between Victoria and River St, while smoke from the fire could be seen drifting over shopping centre Canelands Central impacting road users.
As of 8pm, the street was still blocked to all traffic with fire and police crews on scene.
A Queensland Police Service spokeswoman said police had declared a crime scene at the address and would return Wednesday morning to determine the cause.
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Originally published as House fire on River St and Wellington St, Mackay
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