A father who survived a horrific house fire west of Sydney that claimed the lives of two young children has been identified, as heartbroken schoolmates pay tribute. Myla, 10, and River, 4, died in the inferno that their father, David Higgins, along with four other siblings, escaped. The blaze broke out about 2am on Monday at the family's home in Bowen Mountain, in the foothills of the Blue Mountains.
Fire Erupted on Morning of Planned Move
The fire erupted on the morning the family had been due to move interstate. The children's mother, who has six children ranging in age from three to 16, had been travelling to their new home in Queensland and was not present at the time of the fire.
All five survivors were discharged from Nepean Hospital on Tuesday after being treated for smoke inhalation and minor burns. Back at their burnt-out house, among an assortment of flowers, toy racing cars, and teddy bears left outside, were handwritten notes to Myla and River.
Community Gathers to Pay Respects
More than 20 children and their parents gathered at the makeshift memorial following school pick-up on Tuesday afternoon to pay their respects. Additional tributes were left at another growing shrine set up down the road from the destroyed home. One included a heartbreaking note typed out by two of Myla's best friends which read: 'I miss you Myla, wish you were still here with us. Hope you're having fun with God. I miss you in my heart. Love you as a BFF.'
The letter included pictures of her favourite fruit, bananas, and animals. A handwritten note penned by another former classmate recalled her close bond with Myla and going to the Hawkesbury Show together before switching schools. 'I knew I got a trustworthy friend that I could hang out with every day,' they wrote. 'Wish I could hug you one last time. You were so nice, funny, trustworthy, happy and full of sunshine. I wish I could see you one last time and I wish it wasn't you. I miss you so much. It feels so unreal and it's pretty hard to lose a friend that was so special to me.'
Two children were seen placing a bouquet on the pile of tributes. The little girl hugged her mother before they walked back to their car.
Community Support and Fundraising
The deadly fire, which caused the roof to collapse, has triggered an outpouring of support from the tight-knit, family-friendly community of fewer than 2,000 people. Locals have rallied around the family to raise funds and donate essential items. 'The community is upset... we encourage people to look at the Go Fund Me but also let us know if they have any items they can donate,' a local told Daily Mail. The fundraiser raised more than $22,000 within the first 24 hours. 'We want to grieve in peace. We are not making a statement right now. But we are grateful for the support and the Go Fund Me,' the organiser said.
Earlier on Tuesday, a young relative arrived at the property with a family friend, visibly limping as he unlocked the front gate and walked towards the remains of the house. Weeping, the young man could be seen picking up plants from the garden and placing them into the boot of the car. He placed a bouquet in front of the gate, dangling two flowers from the fence. He stood silent and sombre in front of it for a minute of reflection and commemoration.
Neighbours and Firefighters Respond
Verena, who lives across the mountain, said the news was devastating for the tight-knit community. 'I live the other side of the mountain, I woke up in the middle of the night to the sound of helicopters then my friend from Castle Hill told me what happened,' she said. 'My kids grew up playing along here, absolutely devastating. The poor family.' Neighbours tried to help with initial efforts to fight the fire but could not get inside the property due to the intensity of the blaze, authorities said. The fire is not being treated as suspicious.
When firefighters arrived, the blaze had burned through much of the home's roof cavity and caused structural damage, NSW Rural Fire Service Superintendent Jonathon Hill said. About 60 firefighters were needed to bring the fire under control at about 3.30am, but many were forced to withdraw before the roof caved in. Hawkesbury Headquarters Rural Fire Brigade said their district 'stood together with professionalism, strength, and care' and commended those involved for working under such challenging circumstances.
Local federal MP Susan Templeman thanked firefighters and paid tribute to the family. 'News of two deaths and others taken to hospital after a house fire at Bowen Mountain is deeply distressing,' she wrote in a post on social media. 'Sincere condolences to the family and local residents in this close-knit Bowen Mountain community.' Hawkesbury councillor Mary Lyons-Buckett said she was struggling to comprehend the loss from such a 'deeply tragic house fire'. 'Tragedies like this impact us all in different ways,' she said in a post on social media. 'As a community, we are at our strongest when we come together to support one another.'
