THE parish priest who visits Russell Island near Brisbane has called for prayers and support for the tight-knit island community “deeply affected” after the death of a father and his five young sons in a house fire.
Fr Ladu Yanga offered Sunday Mass in the island’s community hall just hours after flames engulfed the home of 34-year-old father, Wayne Godinet and his five boys -aged 11, 10, twins aged four and their three-year-old brother.
“The faithful gathered together and I said ‘we pray for the father and his children’. We prayed for the mother as well,” Fr Yanga said, adding that the entire Russell Island community was deeply affected by the horrific fire.
This morning at the mainland parish church of St Rita’s, Victoria Point, Fr Yanga dedicated Mass to the fire victims and Russell Island community.
“Yes, we can keep praying for them, but they also need physical help,” he said.
Police have not yet said how the fire started.
“There are some elements of this fire (yesterday) that do require scrutiny,” Detective Superintendent Andrew Massingham said.
“No determination has been made about whether this fire is suspicious or not.”
Detective Superintendent Massingham said the police investigation would attempt to identify the exact point of ignition of the fire.
“Today we’re hopeful of removing the bodies of the six people who tragically perished in this fire…” he said.
While police said Mr Godinet and his five sons perished in the fire, the mother of the boys, Samantha Stephenson, was in the house when the fire broke out, but managed to escape.
She was found by firefighters in a distraught state outside the property and taken to hospital late yesterday, but has since been discharged.
Witnesses said Ms Stephenson was seen screaming for help, telling first responders her family was trapped inside the burning home.
The blaze spread to two other properties that were saved by firefighters.
Several people from the neighbouring properties were also treated by ambulance officers for smoke inhalation and minor burns.
Three people were taken to hospitals on the mainland for treatment, including Stephenson.
Retired priest Fr Jim Browne who served Brisbane’s south Moreton Bay Island communities for more than 20 years said people there would be hard hit by the fire tragedy.
“It will affect them all,” he said, referring to the estimated population of about 10,000 people who live on Russell Island and neighbouring south Moreton Bay islands. Russell Island is 8km-long and lies between the Queensland mainland and North Stradbroke Island. The population is about 3,700 people.
“I’ve been praying for the widow,” he said.
Queensland police commissioner, Katarina Carroll, thanked the “brave” first responders confronted by a devastating fire scene.
Redlands City Council mayor Karen Williams said it would be difficult for the Russell Island community to recover from the tragedy.
“As things start to come to light and everyone settles into some form of normality… we will certainly engage with the community to make sure that what needs to happen will in a way that can be sustained and is supportive as we come to terms with the fact that we’ve lost six people,” she said.
