A birthday party has ended in tragedy for a Tasmanian family after a house fire claimed the life of a toddler and critically injured the birthday girl.
Several people were inside the home in the Hobart suburb of Rokeby when it went up in flames on Sunday morning.
Tenille Siely, a close friend of the family, said the “horrible house fire” began during fifth birthday celebrations.
“Saying this day has been hard is an understatement,” Siely said on Sunday evening while launching a GoFundMe to support the grieving family.
“One beautiful baby girl has lost her life and her sister is fighting to survive in hospital.”
Siely said the girls’ aunt is also in hospital with a serious laceration to her arm, sustained while “trying to save the lives of six children” trapped in the burning house.
The fundraiser has a goal of $50,000 to cover funeral expenses, clothing, furniture and other essential items.
Within hours of its launch, over $5,000 had already been donated.
“The house and all contents where the aunty and her two boys lived is completely gone and they have nothing left,” Siely said.
“Rest peacefully Harlyn and we are praying with every hope we have left that Jordan will pull through.”
Tasmania Police Inspector Darren Latham said authorities are taking the investigation “very seriously”.
“There’s nothing to suggest anything suspicious, but it’s important that we keep an open mind and look at everything,” he said.
