Mother charged with murder following the death of her children in a horrific house fire
- Ellouisa Brighton Gibson, 36, charged with attempted murder
- Nine-year-old boy died in the blaze
- Two girls, aged four and seven, died later at hospital
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A mother has been charged with murder following the death of her three children in a horrific house fire in Toowoomba.
Ellouisa Brighton Gibson, 36, was charged with three counts of attempted murder and one count of arson.
Emergency services rushed to the property on Merritt Street in Harristown, about 127km west of Brisbane, at around 12.30am on May 7 following reports of a fire.
Gibson's nine-year-old boy died in the blaze, with firefighters locating his body near the front door of the family's home shortly after extinguishing the flames.
Her two daughters, aged four and seven, were rushed to Toowoomba Hospital in a life-threatening condition after suffering significant burns in the fire.
The girls were transferred to Queensland Children's Hospital but died after succumbing to their injuries.
The three deceased children had all been sleeping in the same bedroom.
Gibson's 34-year-old partner, Justin, escaped with minor injuries along with two other children, including an 11-year-old boy and an 18-year-old male who suffered a hand injury.
Ellouisa Brighton Gibson (pictured) was charged with three counts of attempted murder and one count of arson following a horrific house fire in Toowoomba
A nine-year-old boy's body was found inside the home, while two girls - aged four and seven - died shortly after in hospital from their severe injuries
Gibson remains in a critical condition under police guard at the Royal Brisbane and Women's Hospital.
Justin Gibson, 34, made an emotional visit to the property on Monday, five days after he and his young family were forced to flee the burning home in the middle of the night.
'It's an open investigation and the truth will come out,' Mr Gibson told Daily Mail Australia.
'I don't want to say anything now, I'm still grieving.
'We can wait for the trial and then everyone will know what really happened.'
His arm still bandaged, Mr Gibson spent almost an hour taking in the devastating scene.
Before leaving the home, Mr Gibson briefly visited a neighbour and arrived back with a basket, which he filled with more than a dozen soft toys lovingly placed alongside flowers from members of the community.
'Sending love to above,' read one card attached to flowers.
Gibson (pictured) was put under police guard while in hospital as homicide detectives investigated the cause of the blaze
Detectives said emergency responders had found Gibson at the front of the home as it was engulfed by the inferno
'Fly high beautiful angels,' read another.
In the backyard, washing was still hanging on the line, toys were strewn across the lawn, along with an abandoned swing set, trampoline and padding pool with nobody left to play on it.
Mr Gibson was supported by his sister as he peered through the fence covered in police caution tape.
An abandoned stroller remained in the driveway, another painful reminder of his unfathomable loss.
Mr Gibson was hailed a hero after it was revealed he and the eldest son, 18, had desperately tried to help younger family members escape the home, braving the flames as they pulled the children to safety.
As part of the investigations into the fatal blaze, detectives have requested records from child safety authorities outside of Queensland.
Police sources claimed the incident was 'out of the blue' as the family were not known to child safety authorities or local officers, the ABC reported.
However, officers are investigating whether the family was known to child safety authorities in other states.
Gibson's 34-year-old partner Justin (centre) made an emotional visit to the property on Monday , five days after he and his young family were forced to flee the burning home
Queensland Minister for Child Safety Amanda Camm has requested for her department to review the records once they are handed over to authorities.
'The loss of three lives in Toowoomba is a tragedy and my heart goes out to the family and the community,' she said in a statement.
'I have instructed my department to undertake a complete and thorough investigation into this case.'
Family friends of Mr Gibson have since set up a GoFundMe to support Mr Gibson and the surviving children.
My dear friend Justin's family have endured a tragic house fire which has caused devastation,' the GoFundMe reads.
'Justin wishes for the details to remain somewhat private as this is an extremely tough time for him and his children with unfortunate casualties.
'We would like to start this fundraiser in hopes to raise money for his children, children's medical expenses, accommodation, and other supports needed in this hard time.'
The GoFundMe has raised more than $4,700 towards the $10,000 target.
