Woman killed, children fight for life after Mooroolbark house fire

Devastated loved ones are trying to come to terms with the house fire death of a mum, who was found to have stab wounds in her stomach.

A top tennis coach was heard screaming in agony after racing home from teaching lessons to see the bodies of his partner and their two children being pulled from their burning house in Melbourne’s northeast.

Mother Hayley Tomkins was found to have stab wounds to her stomach and died at the scene, while her eight-year-old daughter and 11-year-old son remained in intensive care at Royal Children’s Hospital on Tuesday night.

Friends said their father, Andrew Marshall, a devoted dad who runs the Pro Touch Tennis Academy, was keeping a bedside vigil following the blaze at their Mooroolbark home, about 8.30pm on Monday.

The two children suffered smoke inhalation and were in a critical but stable condition.

A woman receives counselling at the scene of the fatal house fire in Mooroolbark. Picture: David Geraghty

Andrew Marshall has been by his children’s side in hospital. Picture: Supplied

Hayley Tomkins has died.

The Maralee Drive house was cordoned off with blue and white police tape on Tuesday morning as authorities investigated the cause of the fatal fire and how Ms Tomkins came to have stab wounds.

She worked at Eastern Health where she had recently won an award and had a career in pharmacy ahead of her.

A Victoria Police spokesperson said investigators were still determining the exact circumstances leading up to the fire, but police were not looking for anyone.

Alisha O’Brien, a temporary resident living on the street, told the Herald Sun she saw Mr Marshall screaming in agony while the three bodies were carried out of the family home.

“They carried out three bodies and they were completely lifeless,” she said.

“When he saw them, he was screaming: ‘Oh no!’

“He could not be consoled in any way, he was a complete mess, in total shock and grief.”

A forensic police officer gathering evidence at the scene. Picture: David Geraghty

Fire investigators at the scene of a fatal fire on Maralee Drive, Mooroolbark. Picture: Andrew Henshaw

Police are determining the exact circumstances leading up to the fire. Picture: Andrew Henshaw

It is understood Mr Marshall had been at lessons nearby when the fire started.

The property was completely burnt out inside but the exterior structure of the premises showed minimal signs of damage.

Ms O’Brien said the fire only started to erupt when crews tried to enter the property.

“The flames were as high as a telegraph pole.”

“There was a lot of smoke, it looked like the house was going to burn down.”

Another neighbour who did not wish to be named said the tight-knit community was in shock.

“It all unfolded so quickly, it’s just a tragic situation,” he said.

“They were a good family.”

Two nearby neighbours, Jay Rushworth and Luke Dufton, said they were in disbelief as to what had happened as they placed a toy on the driveway in tribute.

A local man known to the family has set up a crowdfunding campaign for Mr Marshall and the children, raising close to $8000 in a matter of hours.

One donor contributed $100 to the fund.

The link for the fundraiser was posted in the Mooroolbark Community Group and attracted immediate attention, with one woman thanking the organiser for honouring her best friend.

“Thank you for setting this up for my best friend,” she wrote.

“Such a beautiful friend gone too soon.”

Grieving comments flooded the post as people expressed their equal horror and surprise at the tragedy.

“Absolute tragedy for all in the family and community, absolutely devastating,” one person wrote.

Anyone with information is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.