Fundraiser launched for family who lost infant daughter, home in deadly Rokeby house fire
The family torn apart by a fatal house fire at Rokeby on Sunday has been described as “broken and grieving”, while a friend has paid tribute to the toddler who lost her life in the blaze.
Tasmania
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The family torn apart by a devastating house fire at Rokeby is “broken and grieving” as a close friend seeks donations to help them pay for funeral costs after the death of their infant daughter Harlyn.
Tenille Siely has set up a GoFundMe page to raise much-needed funds for her “best friend”, whose young child was lost in the blaze.
The fire tore through the family home at Benboyd Circle about 9am on Sunday, destroying the house and killing little Harlyn.
“I’m raising funds for funeral costs and furniture, clothes, et cetera, for my best friend and family [affected] in the devastating fire in Rokeby where her little girl, Harlyn, has lost her life and her older sister, Jordan, is fighting for her life in hospital on her fifth birthday today,” Ms Siely wrote.
“The house and all contents where the aunty and her two boys lived is completely gone and they have nothing left, we are asking for donations no matter how big or small to help this broken and grieving family.”
At the time of publishing, $9292 had been donated through the fundraiser, with an ultimate target set at $50,000.
Emergency services are continuing to investigate the circumstances of the fatal house fire and the cause is yet to be determined.
Tasmania Fire Service fire investigator Tim McKay told ABC Radio on Monday that emergency services personnel were expected to remain at the scene of the tragedy for the entire day as they sought to ascertain how the fire started.
“It may even be a number of days before we can fully understand – although we’re starting to get a bit of a picture – exactly what’s caused this fire,” he said.
Jordan, the sister of the toddler who died in the blaze, is understood to be in a critical condition at the Royal Hobart Hospital.
Clarence Mayor Brendan Blomeley described the tragic incident as “truly heartbreaking” and “the stuff of nightmares”.
“Like everyone, my heart goes out to the family and all those affected by the tragedy, in particular the death of the infant girl,” he said.
“The loss of life is always devastating, [particularly] when it’s one so young and so innocent. My thoughts and prayers are with the family and all those affected.”
Mr Blomeley also paid tribute to the “outstanding” first responders who rescued people whose lives were threatened by the fire.
“I also received a message last night from a Rokeby resident telling me that a neighbour assisted in getting some of the family members to safety and [administering] CPR,” he said.
“So to that local hero, on behalf of the greater community, I say thank you.”
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Originally published as Fundraiser launched for family who lost infant daughter, home in deadly Rokeby house fire
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