Second child, 5, dies days after toddler perishes in horrific Rokeby house fire in Tasmania

Police have revealed a heartbreaking update after a baby girl died and her five-year-old sister was left fighting for life when their family home went up in flames.

A second child left fighting for life following a horrific house fire in Hobart has died in hospital, just days after police confirmed a toddler had died.

Multiple adults and children were caught up in the blaze at the family home at Benboyd Circle in Rokeby on Sunday.

An infant – who has since been identified as one-year-old Harlyn – was found dead inside the residence by fire crews.

Her five-year-old sister Jordan and an adult were taken to Royal Hobart Hospital with serious injuries.

On Tuesday, police revealed Jordan died in hospital “overnight”.

One-year-old Harlyn died after a home in Rokeby, Hobart, caught fire on Sunday. Picture: Supplied

In a heartbreaking update on Tuesday, police confirmed Harlyn’s five-year-old sister, Jordan, died overnight after she was raced to hospital from the fire with serious injuries. Picture: Supplied

Matt Lowe, deputy chief of operations at the Tasmania Fire Service said the impact of the fire had been felt by so many in the community.

“I’d like to thank the local community for their assistance, especially the neighbours who came to the aid of those affected,” he said.

“The scene and investigation have been traumatic, and it’s had a significant impact on first responders who have done an incredible job under extreme circumstances.

“They are commended for their actions and will be supported by our Wellbeing Support team.”

A report will be prepared for the coroner after police confirmed two children had died after a horrific house fire in Tasmania. Picture: Supplied / Pulse Media

A 30-year-old remains in a stable condition in the Royal Hobart Hospital.

A 16-month-old, 10-year-old and 14-year-old who were also injured in the fire have been discharged from hospital and into the care of their families.

In a GoFundMe, family friend Tenille Siely said the family of the two children had “nothing left”.

“The house and all contents where the Aunty and her two boys lived is completely gone,” she wrote in the fundraiser.

“We are asking for donations no matter how big or small to help this broken and grieving family.”

In a statement, police said the TFS fire investigation had determined there were no suspicious circumstances to the fire, which started in the lounge room.

A report will be prepared for the coroner who will determine the cause of the deaths.

Detective Senior Sergeant Darren Latham, speaking at a press conference after the fire, said the scene was “distressing” and praised the response of emergency services personnel.

“When I arrived there, I had police and paramedics doing CPR on children, on an adult, and at the same time I’m looking at that, to right I’ve got firefighters doing everything they can to try and save whoever is in the house,” he said.

The fire struck an address at Benboyd Circle, Rokeby, in Hobart on January 19, 2024. Picture: Google Maps

“I think that does highlight the good work they do.”

Detective Latham said neighbours and onlookers had also rendered assistance to the family.

“Very distressing for the people in the street,” he said.

The policeman said there was “nothing to suggest” foul play in the horror fire but the police would not “rule anything out”.

“With any investigation into the death of a child, or any person, we take it very seriously,” he said.

“As a result, we have got sufficient resources to make sure we understand exactly what has happened today.”

The house was “completely destroyed”, he said, and fire investigators were now working to determine the cause of the fire.

The occupants of the house were related, he said.

The detective said investigators would speak to the family “at some stage”.

“That will help us piece together what has happened.”

Speaking to ABC News, one woman at the scene said she saw “flames everywhere” and “lots of smoke”.

“All the neighbours were coming to help … there was one man that had [taken] a fire extinguisher over and he smashed windows and got kids out,” the woman told the network, adding she also heard windows exploding and people screaming.

Originally published as Second child, 5, dies days after toddler perishes in horrific Rokeby house fire in Tasmania