2 Babies Among 4 Killed in ‘Traumatic’ House Fire: ‘Our Family Is Shattered’

Four people — including two infants — have died after a devastating house fire tore through a home in Emerald, Queensland, Australia, on Thursday, Nov. 6.

According to news.com.au and the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC), the victims include a young boy and girl, a teenage girl, and a man. The children were identified as siblings Desmond, 5 months, and Maddison, 20 months, while the man was identified as Matthew Chilly.

The fire broke out around 6:50 a.m., trapping Desmond, Maddison, and Chilly inside the residence. Two other individuals managed to escape and were transported to the hospital for treatment, per reports from the outlets.

Senior Sergeant Peter McFarlane told news.com.au that the survivors are experiencing significant psychological distress. He added that details about the relationships between the deceased will be released later, according to ABC.

When emergency services arrived shortly after 7 a.m., neighbors were already attempting to fight the flames with garden hoses. Fire crews found the home fully engulfed upon arrival, per ABC.

“It’s been quite traumatic for all emergency services, and our priority is the families and extended families of the victims, as well as the emergency workers who will need support in the coming days,” McFarlane said.

He described the scene as “very sad and tragic,” adding, “We have a lot of families gathered around — they are very tight-knit here in Emerald and are coming together to support one another.”

A GoFundMe page has been set up by Sally Woulfe, the aunt of the children’s father, Jake Symes, to raise funds for funeral expenses.

“It breaks my heart to be writing this,” Woulfe wrote. “In the early hours of 6 November 2025, my nephew Jake Symes lost his entire world — his two beautiful children, Maddison (1 year, 8 months) and Desmond (5 months) — in a tragic house fire in Emerald.”

She continued, “In one night, Jake lost everything — his babies, his home, and every belonging he owned. As a young father, he now faces the unimaginable pain of laying both of his children to rest. 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 fundraiser seeks $15,000 to cover funeral costs and help Jake rebuild his life. As of publication, it had raised nearly $2,000 Australian dollars (approximately $1,290 USD).

Queensland Premier David Crisafulli expressed his condolences, calling the event “incredibly sad.” He said, “When you deal with smaller towns, there is no doubt that those connections will be felt and the loss will be felt so deeply.”

Authorities are still investigating the cause of the fire. McFarlane told ABC that an e-scooter is among the possible lines of inquiry.