The inferno tore through the home the night before the family were set to move across the country for a fresh start – 60 firefighters were called to the scene of the blaze
Two young children who died in a devastating house fire have been identified, as heartbreaking fresh details emerge about the family’s final hours before tragedy struck. Myla Summer-Lea Hughes, 10, and River William Higgins, aged three, both lost their lives when a fire broke out in their family home at about 2am Monday morning, April 27. First responders raced to the home in Bowen Mountain, Australia, which is located about hour’s drive from Sydney. Despite the best efforts of more than five dozen firefighters who battled the blaze, it was still not enough to save little Myla and River. Their father, David Higgins, and three of their siblings managed to escape the horror inferno. New South Wales Ambulance confirmed they were taken to hospital in a stable condition after suffering from smoke inhalation and other minor injuries. They have since been discharged.
In a cruel twist, the blaze broke out on the very morning the family had been due to begin a new chapter of their lives with a move across the country to Australia’s Sunshine State of Queensland. The children’s mother, Skye Hughes, had travelled ahead to their new home with another of the family’s children when the fire took hold.
Around 60 firefighters battled the intense blaze, which destroyed the roof of the home and caused severe structural damage before crews could bring it under control.
A GoFundMe page has since been set up to help the family in the wake of the tragic loss of little Myla and River, with nearly £30,000 raised in only three days. The fundraising page, which was set up by a family friend, will help cover funeral costs, memorial expenses and emergency accommodation, as the family and their loved ones try to come to terms with Monday’s unimaginable loss. Parents Skye Hughes and David Higgins have since issued a public statement to thank their community for its support, both locally and across Australia, stating that their “family’s world has been forever changed”.
“This tragedy has forever changed our family, but the extraordinary support of our community has reminded us that we do not stand alone,” they said in the statement, as per the ABC. “Your kindness has carried us through our darkest hours, and we are profoundly grateful for every act of support.” The parents expressed their gratitude to first responders for their “tireless efforts”, staff at the hospital for their “exceptional care”, as well as family, friends and the wider community. Investigations continuing into the cause of the fire, however the Australian national broadcaster reports police told ABC reporters that the fire was not believed to be suspicious.
You can donate to the GoFundMe fundraiser for the family here.
