A devastating Thorneside fire has claimed the lives of an eight-year-old girl and her 31-year-old babysitter, leaving the Brisbane suburb in shock and mourning.
Read: Fire Mitigation Works at Scribbly Gums Conservation Area, Alexandra Hills
The tragic blaze, which engulfed a townhouse on Sunday, October 6, has left families grappling with an unimaginable loss. The young victim, known affectionately as Raven, was under the care of Stephanie Ryan, a family friend visiting from Alice Springs, when the blaze erupted in the early hours of Sunday morning.
Emergency services responded to the scene on Bayside Court around 7:15 am, finding two units already engulfed in flames.
Queensland Ambulance Service reported that the little girl had suffered life-threatening injuries. Tragically, police later confirmed that her body was discovered by emergency services. The search for Ryan’s remains was hampered by a collapsed roof, and it wasn’t until a day later, on October 7, that authorities located her body.
As investigations continue to determine the cause of the Thorneside fire, loved ones have begun to pay tribute to the victims. Thelma Cowell, Ryan’s grandmother, was visibly distraught as she visited the site of the tragedy. She described the child as loveable, her words heavy with grief.
Raven’s family shared touching memories of the young girl. They spoke of her love for shopping and socialising, describing her as a special and well-loved eight-year-old.
The impact of this tragedy has rippled through the community, prompting an outpouring of support. Ryan’s aunt has launched a GoFundMe campaign to give her niece a fitting send-off. Meanwhile, Raven’s family visited the scene to lay flowers, with her grandfather expressing a desire for the world to know how cherished the eight-year-old was.
Read: Manly Mourns the Passing of Jan Power, Iconic Farmers Market Founder
The site of the Thorneside fire has now been declared a crime scene as police intensify their investigation, seeking to uncover the cause of the tragic blaze that claimed two lives and left a community in mourning.
Published 8-October-2024