Balloons released over Rokeby in touching tribute to young sisters who died in tragic house fire
In touching scenes on Wednesday evening, a mass of balloons was released into the sky over Rokeby to honour the memory of young sisters, Harlyn and Jordan, who lost their lives in a tragic house fire.
Tasmania
Don't miss out on the headlines from Tasmania. Followed categories will be added to My News.
A mass of balloons soared over Rokeby on Wednesday evening in a touching tribute to the two young sisters who tragically lost their lives in a fatal house fire that left the tight-knit community reeling.
Local resident and mother of seven, Steive-Lee Smith, created a Facebook event to inform people of the opportunity to pay their respects to the late Harlyn, 1, and Jordan, 5, by releasing balloons into the sky from the Rokeby Primary School oval.
The two girls had been enjoying Jordan’s birthday party with several other family members when the fire tore through the home on Sunday.
While she doesn’t know the family personally, Ms Smith said the tragedy had “touched” her deeply and she wanted to give the broader community a platform to honour the memory of the young girls.
“I just thought this was a way us as a community could get together and say our goodbyes. Even though we didn’t know the little girls, it still hit a lot of people,” she said.
“[We wanted] to show our respects and show the family that we are thinking of them and their beautiful little girls.
“I couldn’t imagine what they’re going through.”
Two doves were also released in tribute to the deceased children.
The fire is believed to have started in the lounge room of the Benboyd Circle home about 9am on Sunday. The Tasmania Fire Service has determined that it was accidental.
Baby Harlyn died at the scene, while five-year-old Jordan was taken to hospital in a critical condition and died overnight on Tuesday.
A 30-year-old was also transported to the Royal Hobart Hospital with a lacerate arm and remained in a stable condition as of Tuesday afternoon.
More Coverage
Originally published as Balloons released over Rokeby in touching tribute to young sisters who died in tragic house fire
Unit catches fire in early morning blaze
Firefighters worked quickly to extinguish an early morning fire on Hobart’s Eastern Shore after arriving to a fiery scene. The latest.
Psychologist grilled over report on man responsible for death of baby
A psychologist has been forced to take the stand to defend a forensic report she wrote about a man who pleaded guilty to the manslaughter death of a 10-month-old baby.
Tassie shopping centre sells for more than $50m
It has only been open for two years, but a company with ambitions to build more shopping centres across the state has sold its Tasmanian firstborn for more than $50m.
Ashley Detention Centre more expensive than the Ritz
It costs more to keep a young offender at the Ashley Youth Detention Centre for a day than it would to fly to London for a night in a top hotel, federal figures show.
A foggy brain blamed for car tagging frenzy
‘Too high’. Ravenswood man claims he couldn’t remember causing thousands of dollars in damage in tagging cars.
Watch out for roadkill as baby devils make their first move
Juvenile Tasmanian devils are leaving their mother’s pouches and venturing out into the world and onto our roads — prompting a warning. Where the devil roadkill hotspots are >>