Mother allegedly doused children in petrol before deadly house fire

A Toowoomba mother is in under police guard in hospital after allegedly dousing her children in petrol before setting them alight on Wednesday, killing her son and two daughters.

The house at Merritt Street in Harristown. Picture: NewsWire / John Gass

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A mother is under investigation for killing three of her small children who she allegedly doused in petrol as they slept in their Toowoomba home before setting them alight on Wednesday morning.

Ellouisa Brighton Gibson, 36, is under police guard in the Royal Brisbane and Women’s Hospital where she remains in a coma and in a critical condition with burns to more than a third of her body.

Queensland Police have publicly stated the fire is being treated as suspicious.

The body of her nine-year-old son was found after the fire was extinguished and his two sisters – aged four and seven – were rescued from the blaze but later died at the Queensland Children’s Hospital.

Her 34-year-old partner – who is believed to be the father of two children, including one who died – escaped the fire with minor injuries along with two other children.

Sources familiar with the investigation said that petrol was found at the front of the home in Harristown, a suburb of Toowoomba, 130km west of Brisbane.

The sources told The Australian that one of the surviving children allegedly told police they witnessed Ms Gibson “pouring petrol over the (deceased) children and setting them on fire”.

All three children who died were sleeping in one bedroom.

Queensland Police would not comment on the allegations.

A spokesman for Queensland’s Department of Child Safety would not comment as to whether Ms Gibson or the family were previously known to them or the subject of a formal concern inquiry or order.

“It is devastating to hear three young children have lost their lives, and we extend our deepest condolences to all who knew and loved them,’’ a spokesman said.

“Under the provisions of the Child Protection Act we are unable to disclose whether an individual or family is known or not known to child protection.”

Neighbours tried desperately to save the family before emergency services arrived around 12:30am on Wednesday to find the property engulfed in flames.

Police are now trying to piece together what occurred at the home in the lead up to the tragedy.

At a press conference on Thursday, Detective Superintendent George Marchesini confirmed that the fire was being treated as suspicious.

Superintendent Machesini said police previously had interaction with the family at their home but would not elaborate.

“It certainly wasn’t a premises that police were regularly attending,’’ he said.

Supt Marchesini said police had not been able to interview Ms Gibson, given her condition, but that they believed she would survive.

“Obviously we want to talk to all those persons that were present, we’ve already undertaken that with some of the people that were at the house and have obviously been released from hospital,” he said on Thursday morning.

“Part of our investigation is obviously talking to all people, that will include the 36-year-old woman.”

“We do know she will be in hospital for an extensive period of time.

Police are doorknocking neighbours and taking statements about what they saw that night, and have issued an appeal to the community for any information.

Queensland Premier David Crisafulli said the unfolding tragedy was “unfathomable and horrific”.

“Three children have now lost their lives. A community is reeling,” Mr Crisafulli said.

“We send our thoughts and prayers to the people of Toowoomba and thank neighbours and first responders who rushed to help.

“A full and thorough investigation into this tragedy must take place, and we’ll ensure it does.”