The family of three-year-old twins who died in a house fire in the New South Wales Snowy Mountains yesterday has visited the charred home to lay tributes to the "beautiful girls".
Firefighters had to break down locked doors to try to rescue sisters Aisha and Lailani from their burning Batlow home, but the toddlers were unable to be revived by paramedics at the scene.
Their mother, Tanyka Ford, and their six-year-old brother were in the backyard when the property went up in flames about 11:00am.
Today, relatives hung two small pink tutus on a tree outside the house, while a bunch of flowers has been laid with a note that says, 'Fly my baby girls. Love Nan and Pop'.
The girls' grandmother wiped away tears as she spoke about the twins, describing them as "beautiful girls".
The scene is scoured
Detectives, fire crews, and a sniffer dog have been scouring the scene today as they try to determine the cause of the blaze.
Riverina Police Superintendent Bob Noble said investigators were keeping an "open mind in respect to the nature of the incident".
"We need to approach this from an objective point of view and keep all possibilities on the table," Superintendent Noble said.
"In a situation, a devastating tragedy like this, rumour, innuendo and speculation is very unhelpful and very hurtful for the family and the community.
"We need to deal in evidence and deal in facts."
Ms Ford was interviewed by detectives yesterday and was expected to be questioned again today, along with the twins' father, neighbours, and first responders to the scene yesterday.
A report will be prepared by police for the coroner.
Tight-knit community reeling
Wagga Wagga MP Joe McGirr said the tragedy was another blow for a community that had already endured the devastation of the summer's bushfires, which destroyed a number of homes and killed a man.
"It's been such a terrible year for the community. The people of Batlow have been through so much," Dr McGirr said.
"It's just horrific. It's clearly going to have an impact."
Dr McGirr said he had been assured by the local health district that mental health support workers would be urgently sent to the region.
"I've checked to ensure mental health continues because there will be many people affected by this," Dr McGirr said.
"We've got a town devastated by the bushfires, just going through the process of clearing.
"I understand actually that some of the first responders [to the fire] were people from the clearing crews."
Dr McGirr said the strong community in Batlow would band together to support each other now, just as they had done in the wake of the bushfires.
"We need to support them. We need to support that community as much as we can," he said.
"They will recover from this year, they will fight on, and we need to support them in doing that."
Snowy Valley's Mayor James Hayes said he was heartbroken by the news.
"It's just a reminder to be careful and to watch your kids and to cherish them as well," Cr Hayes said.
Outpouring of support
A GoFundMe page set up last night by Ms Ford's brother, Levi, has already raised $3,000 for the family.
"I know how tough times are right now," Mr Ford said.
"I'm making [this page] to help with clothing, food, and other items that may be needed to help [my sister] get back on her feet, and also help with funeral costs.
"Losing everything is hard enough without having to worry about financials."
