Emotions run high as family and friends return to scene of fatal Rokeby house fire
Investigations into the cause of a deadly Rokeby house fire that claimed the life of a toddler continued on Monday, with grieving friends and family returning to the scene a day after tragedy struck.
Tasmania
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The family rocked by a deadly house fire at Rokeby were celebrating a child’s birthday when a blaze engulfed the home, claimed the life of an infant girl, and left a five-year-old in a critical condition, investigators say.
The fire tore through the residence at Benboyd Circle about 9am on Sunday, destroying the house and killing a toddler named Harlyn, who was just one year old.
Emergency services are continuing to investigate the circumstances of the fatal inferno and the cause is still yet to be determined.
But Tasmania Fire Service fire investigator Tim McKay has ruled out foul play, telling reporters at the scene of the blaze that it appeared to have been an accident.
“We are confident that the fire has originated from the lounge, and we are also confident that what’s happened here is a tragic accident and there are no suspicious circumstances,” he said.
In emotionally charged scenes, family and friends gathered at the site of the fire on Monday, weeping as they spoke to emergency services personnel.
A five-year-old child, Jordan, remains in a critical condition in the Royal Hobart Hospital.
Tasmania Police Inspector Andrew Keane said the family had been hosting Jordan’s fifth birthday party when the fire swept through the home.
An adult was taken to hospital on Sunday with a lacerated arm, while three other children were also treated for smoke inhalation.
Inspector Keane said the investigation into the fire would continue “over the next couple of days”.
He credited local residents with helping first responders break into the home when it was ablaze.
“Without their assistance, this tragedy could have been even worse,” Inspector Keane said.
“It’s been my experience of the Rokeby community [that it] is a very tight community. They’re always looking out for each other. We’ve actually had a lot of offers of help from people in this street already.”
A friend of the family impacted by the fire, Tenille Siely, has set up a GoFundMe page to raise money to cover funeral costs.
“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,” she said.
Clarence Mayor Brendan Blomeley said his thoughts were with the family mourning the loss of “one so young and so innocent”.
He also paid tribute to the “outstanding” first responders and the neighbours who came to their aid.
“I … received a message last night … 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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