‘My everything’: Dad’s heartbreaking tribute after two babies die in horror house fire in Emerald, Qld

The father of two young children who died after a fire ripped through a regional Queensland home has shared a heartbreaking tribute to his “Maddy moo” as police continue to probe how the tragedy occurred. Brother and sister Desmond and Maddison, aged just five months and 20 months, died after a house in Emerald, west of Rockhampton in regional Queensland, caught fire on Thursday. Matthew Chilly, 36, also died in the blaze. A teenager who also died in the blaze has since been identified as Cameron Chilly. Police are investigating whether an e-scooter battery is responsible for igniting the blaze but admitted the “extensive” damage to the home has not left much evidence. “We’re still investigating… so our forensics and scientific teams are there currently examining the scenes and it’s just too early to tell what the cause was,” Detective Acting Inspector Brett Richard told reporters on Friday afternoon. In a heart-wrenching post on Facebook, Jake Symons — the father of Desmond and Maddison — described them as his “everything”. “My Maddy moo, my first love, my everything ... dad’s number one baby. I’m sorry I wasn’t there my little princess,” he said. Mr Symons described it as a “bad dream” he “won’t wake up from”. “It’s just not real, (I) can’t believe this,” his post continued. In a separate post for his son Desmond, Mr Symons lamented how there were “so many things” he wanted to show his son and watch him grow up. “We’ll have that VB and kick the footy around in the next life, won’t be long my boy,” Mr Symons wrote. “Mini me he was.” Detective Richard said as with any house fire, certain objects like batteries and canisters could cause explosions. “Any device with a battery, as we know, I think that they can cause fires. So it’s a line of inquiry for any fire, I believe, or house fire/structural fire,” he said. He added police were still trying to determine what time the house caught alight. “We have got reports of smoke coming from the unit, however, we want to piece together a timeline to actually understand when the fire actually occurred,” he said. Police don’t believe the blaze is suspicious at this stage, and the homicide squad is not currently involved. “Our main concern is to provide answers for the family … it’s a tragedy and we want to provide them with as many answers as we can,” he said. Detective Richard earlier said it was traumatic for everyone involved. “It has been a very sad and tragic scene, and we have a lot of families gathering around to provide support to each other,” he said on Friday morning. “Support will be provided to the families and responding emergency services.” Meanwhile, the aunt of the babies’ father has started a GoFundMe to raise money for their funerals. “In one night, Jake lost everything – his babies, his home, and every belonging he owned,” Sally Woulfe posted. “As a young father, he is now facing the unimaginable pain of having to lay both of his children to rest. “Our family is shattered. Maddison was full of life and laughter, always smiling and curious about the world around her. “Little Desmond was a gentle, happy baby whose laughter brought light to everyone who met him. Their bond was pure love – and they were taken far too soon.” The children and Mr Chilly were inside the property on Opal St at Emerald with several other people when it became engulfed in flames about 6.50am on Thursday. Mr Chilly’s body as found inside the home alongside Maddison and Desmond and the teenage girl. Two other people, a 25-year-old woman and a 38-year-old woman, who were home at the time managed to escape the blaze. They were taken to hospital for treatment. Senior Sergeant Peter McFarlane said the two people who escaped the blaze were taken to hospital suffering psychological distress. Mr McFarlane said neighbours tried to extinguish the fire with garden hoses when emergency services arrived about 7am. “It’s been quite traumatic on all emergency services and obviously our priority is the families and extended families of the victims but also emergency services workers who will require some support in coming days,” he said. “It was a very sad and tragic scene inside and outside of that fire. “We have a lot of families gathered around there, and as I said, they are very tight-knit families, extended families here in Emerald, and they are gathering around to support each other.” The officer in charge said an investigation was under way to determine the exact cause of the fire that occurred at a government housing property. Speaking to reporters on Thursday morning, Queensland Premier David Crisafulli said the deaths were “incredibly sad” and would impact the entire community. “When you deal with smaller towns, there is no doubt that those connections will be felt and the loss will be felt so deeply,” he said. “The connections of school and support, community groups, emergency services personnel … it will ripple through that community. “On behalf of everyone, I want to express my deepest sympathies to the family but also to the neighbours and the emergency services involved. “This is an incredible tragedy, and it is the kind of event that rocks all communities, particularly smaller ones.” Central Highlands Regional Council mayor Janice Moriarty shared a tribute to the four killed in the fire. “We are deeply saddened by the tragic fire that occurred early this morning in Emerald,” she said. “Council understands that authorities are investigating the cause of the fire, and we offer our full support and co-operation to responding agencies. “On behalf of the Central Highlands Regional Council and the broader community, our thoughts extend to the family and friends of those impacted.” The Gladstone Regional Council said it was “saddened” by the fatal fire. “Being so soon after our community has suffered a similar tragedy, this news may be triggering for some in our community,” a statement read. “In times like these, it’s important to remember that support is available.” The fatal fire comes after a blaze ripped through a home in Gladstone in Central Queensland on October 15. The fire tore through the house and killed Jordana Johnson, 36, her son Jordan Norris, and his close friend Chazz Mather, both aged 12. A 37-year-old woman from Toolooa has been charged with three counts of murder and two counts of arson. Anyone with information is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.