TRIBUTES TO MOTHER, SON IN FATAL UNIT FIRE
FLOWERS and toys outside a charred Gold Coast unit complex are a poignant tribute to a mother and son killed in a ferocious fire.
Chanra Moore and Olli, 6, died in the blaze in their Back St unit at Biggera Waters about 1.30am on Saturday.
Husband and father Nathan Moore survived and witnesses had to hold him back from returning to try to save them.
The complex is now missing walls and covered in black ash, while flowers and toys with messages to the mother and son adorn the outside.
A message attached to flowers read “Rest in Peace Charna + Ollie … my heart is shattered”.
Another on a toy duck read “We will miss you both”.
Mr Moore’s social media is filled with family photographs of the trio smiling on outings.
A fundraising page has already raised $1000 with creator Rachael Moore writing: “On Saturday Nathan lost his beloved wife and son…several people have reached out to provide support and assistance, and we are grateful for your thoughts and kindness.”
It’s understood Nathan fell from the first floor unit as he tried to rescue his wife and son, only to be knocked by the family cat leaping out of the window.
Neighbours are believed to have stopped the distraught dad from trying to re-enter the building engulfed in flames. He was taken to hospital suffering smoke inhalation and shock.
Police remained at the scene yesterday as investigations into the blaze continued.
The fire did not appear to be suspicious, police said.
The front doors to the eight units next door have been closed off for safety reasons.
A neighbour said she was woken by the blaze.
“I could see the fire and could hear a man yelling,” she said.
“A woman started yelling and then there was silence.
“The people in the other units were told to evacuate and they all got out straight away. Unfortunately people from the front unit didn’t.”
Undertakers retrieved the two bodies from the charred remains of the unit as one neighbour wept at 1.30pm on Saturday.
Neighbour Canan Ozcan said: “I heard a ‘bang’ noise and screams and woke up my daughter … by the time we got down the place was in flames, it was really bad.
“Police came, fire trucks came, ambulances came but it was so bad they just couldn’t do anything.
“We were praying everyone was okay and safe but it was obvious that they weren’t.”
A report will be prepared for the coroner.