Following the loss of her five sons and her partner, a mom from Brisbane has issued a heartbreaking message to others.
Samantha Stephenson was left devastated after a fire ripped through her home on Queensland's Russell Island on Sunday morning.
Her partner, Wayne Godinet, and her five children were still inside the building as it burnt to the ground at approximately 6AM.
While Samantha initially tried to run back inside to rescue her children, Wayne stopped her and rushed back inside himself - though sadly, he never returned.
It was later discovered that he was trapped upstairs with twins Kyza and Koa, aged four, his three-year-old son Nicky, and stepsons, Zack, 11 and Harry, 10, before the second story collapsed.
That afternoon, local authorities confirmed that six bodies had been found in the wreckage of the blaze.
On Monday, just a day after the fire, Detective Superintendent Andrew Massingham revealed that there were several elements of the house fire that required "further scrutiny" pending an investigation.
"In terms of best investigative processes, the elements that need further investigation or clarification must remain confidential at this stage," he said as per the Daily Mail.
However, he did reveal some finer details about the "crime" scene.
"Today we're hopeful of removing the bodies of the six people who tragically perished in this fire yesterday,' he said. "A crime scene has been declared at Todman Street and fire investigators and scene of crime staff are there. Our disaster victim identification squad has been called in to assist in that process."
It was also revealed by the detective that Wayne was a known person to the police as officers had been called to the home on multiple occasions.
"In terms of that aspect of it, we're still investigating that but I can confirm that police happen to the residents in the past but the nature and frequency of our attendance there is subject to internal review," he added.
After the devastating news started spreading around the area, the acting principal of Russell Island State School and Leanne McMahon wrote a letter to parents expressing her sadness at the loss of two of her students, Zack and Harry.
"Many of you will be aware of a tragic house fire this morning in our community. It has been reported that some residents, including young people, remain unaccounted for. We extend our sincere sympathies to the affected families and their loved ones at this difficult time," the letter read.
The principle also added that support and counselling would be available by the school for those who needed it.
"As a community, we will rally together and support each other through this challenging period," she wrote.
Lilly Slater, a close friend of Samantha's, set up a GoFundMe to help the heartbroken mom with general expenses, including her family's upcoming funerals.
"...I have started this go fund me for our close friend Samantha who this morning tragically lost her 5 beautiful boys and her partner in a house fire," Lilly wrote in the description. "We have started this go fund me to assist Samantha in the cost to putting her beautiful family to rest as in funeral services, caskets and everything else that comes with laying your family members to rest."
Speaking to Daily Mail Australia, Lilly also revealed a message to the world on behalf of the distressed mother who had just lost all her babies.
"Samantha just wants the world to know - check your smoke alarms and hold your babies," she said.
Our thoughts are with Samantha and her loved ones during this extremely difficult period.
