Top tennis coach heard screaming as family pulled out of burning home

The father of two children fighting for life in hospital after a house fire that killed their mother has been identified as a top tennis coach.

A top tennis coach has been identified as the father of two children who are fighting for life after a Melbourne house fire that claimed the life of their mother.

Pharmacist Hayley Tomkins had stab wounds to her stomach when she was discovered inside her burning home in Melbourne’s northeast about 9pm on Monday.

Her eight-year-old daughter and 11-year-old son were raced to hospital after being found unconscious inside the Mooroolbark home, suffering from smoke inhalation. They are in a stable condition in intensive care.

Andrew Marshall, a top Melbourne junior tennis coach, was heard screaming outside as flames rose from the home. Picture: Supplied

Hayley Tomkins has died, and two children are in a critical condition, after a fire tragedy at Mooroolbark on Monday night.

Dad Andrew Marshall rushed home from a tennis lesson to see the bodies of his partner and their two children being pulled from their burning house in Mooroolbark.

A neighbour earlier recalled the heartbreaking moment Mr Marshall screamed in desperation as he watched his house go up in flames with his family trapped inside.

Friends of the devoted dad, who runs the Pro Touch Tennis Academy, were keeping a bedside vigil following the tragedy.

Emergency services were called to a home on Maralee Drive after reports of a raging blaze inside the property.

Flowers left at the scene of a fatal house fire. Picture: David Geraghty

Fire crews pulled Ms Tomkins and her two children from the burning home before bringing the blaze under control. The mother died at the scene.

No one else is believed to have been home at the time of the fire.

Alisha O’Brien, a temporary resident living on the street, said she witnessed the father screaming outside the burning home as the flames took hold.

“They carried out three bodies and they were completely lifeless,” she told the Herald Sun.

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

Forensic police officers are continuing to investigate on Wednesday. Picture: David Geraghty

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

Another neighbour also reported seeing the father running towards the home.

He teared up as he recalled watching smoke rise from the burning house, telling 9 News that he has watched the two children grow up on the quiet street.

The circumstances leading up to the deadly incident are still being determined; however, police are not looking for anyone else at this time.

One neighbour said residents of the quiet street and tight-knit community were in shock.

Neighbours are receiving counselling at the scene as the community grieves the loss of Hayley Tomkins and prays for the recovery of her two children. Picture: David Geraghty

“It all unfolded so quickly, it’s just a tragic situation,” he told the Herald Sun.

“They were a good family.”

Jay Rushworth and Luke Dufton, two nearby neighbours, said they were still in disbelief as they laid a toy on the driveway as a tribute.

While the home was gutted by the blaze, the exterior structure of the property showed minimal signs of damage.

Ms O’Brien said fire crews faced heavy flames as they entered the property.

The deadly fire gutted the family home. Picture: Andrew Henshaw

“The flames were as high as a telegraph pole,” she said.

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

A crowd-funding campaign has been set up by a local man known to the family, raising more than $4000 in a matter of hours for Mr Marshall and the children.

The link for the fundraiser was posted in the Mooroolbark Community Group on Facebook, with one woman thanking the organiser for honouring her best friend.

Neighbours are speaking to police after the tragic incident. Picture: NCA NewsWire / David Geraghty

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

“Such a beautiful friend gone too soon.”

Comments flooded the post as generous donations poured in for the family.

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

Anyone with further information is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or submit a report at www.crimestoppers.com.au.