GIRLS DIE IN BLAZE
FRIENDS and family have expressed shock at the tragic death of two girls who perished in a house fire in the north of the state in what should have been a fun sleepout on the Queen’s’ Birthday weekend.
The sisters, 10 and 13 — whose names have not yet been released, were found dead after a suspected electrical fault caused a fire at a property in Austins Rd, Turners Marsh, 30km north of Launceston.
The girls’ father called police and the fire service about 3am.
The father told emergency services he could not account for his two daughters.
Inspector John King said it was believed the fire started from a 15-20m electrical cord linking the house and granny flat.
“Crews arrived and found the granny flat was fully alight,” Insp King said.
“They subsequently extinguished the blaze, tragically a 10-year-old girl and a 13-yearold girl have lost their lives.
“Preliminary fire scene investigations believe the cause may have been an electrical fault on an electrical cord leading out to the granny flat.
“An extension cord and an electrical heater in the flat are forming a major part of the investigation.’
He said initial information was there was not a smoke alarm in the flat.
Insp King said three other children, under five, were in the rented house at the time.
The two girls slept from time to time in the granny flat, he said.
He said the girl’s parents were devastated.
The deaths have shocked the hamlet of Turners Marsh, which is about 7km from the town of Lilydale. Lilydale has a population of fewer 1000 and Turners Marsh even fewer.
It is remarkable only for its bushland with some small farms and a carting track.
A small bouquet of flowers was propped up beside the property’s letter box yesterday afternoon.
It is understood the girls attended Lilydale District School and on social media yesterday, friends and family expressed their grief.
“Waking up to hear this tragic news and still can’t believe my two beautiful little cousins have been taken away from us,” Kelsey Lee wrote on Facebook.
Miraki Thompson wrote: “My heart is broken I feel so lost! No words can explain the pain!
“RIP girls I honestly don’t know what to say or do.”
The girls were described as having loving hearts.
“All that met them fell in love straight away, their smiles would just melt your heart,” Sharnie Bosworth said.
“Both these young ladies ... had such promising futures, they were intelligent and clued in young ladies that will be greatly missed by so many, especially their loving family.
“So today we all must say our goodbyes to two beautiful girls, but now in great sorrow we gain two of the most beautiful angels to watch upon us.”
Ms Bosworth has created a Go Fund Me page to assist the family with the cost of the funerals.