Two children who died in a horrific house fire have been identified in a fundraiser set up to support their family deal with the loss.
Myla Summer-Lea Hughes, 10, and River William Higgins, 3, have been named as the two victims of the tragic house fire at Bowen Mountain in Sydney's far northwest on Monday.Â
Their names were made public in an online crowdfunding campaign set up by a family friend with the full support of parents Skye Hughes and David Higgins, the fundraiser page says.
The GoFundMe campaign had reached more than $47,000 on Thursday morning, with the campaign stating all funds will support funeral expenses, living costs and counselling for the family.
"These precious lives were deeply loved, and this unimaginable tragedy has left the family facing profound grief, trauma and overwhelming loss," Natasha Holden, organiser of the fundraiser, said online.
The family members who survived the blaze, including Mr Higgins and three other children who have not been named, were discharged from Nepean Hospital on Tuesday.
Before the fire, Ms Hughes had moved to Queensland with one of her children with the intention of the rest of her family flying to join her on the day their previous home went up in flames.
"This heartbreaking reality makes this unimaginable loss even more devastating for all who loved them," the family said in a statement.
"Your kindness has carried us through our darkest hours, and we are profoundly grateful for every act of support."
The deadly fire, which caused a roof to collapse, has triggered an outpouring of support from the tight-knit, family-friendly community of less than 2000.
Local federal MP Susan Templeman thanked firefighters and paid tribute to the family.
"News of two deaths and others taken to hospital after a house fire at Bowen Mountain is deeply distressing," she wrote in a post on social media.
"Sincere condolences to the family and local residents in this close-knit Bowen Mountain community."
The fire is not being treated as suspicious.
When firefighters arrived, the blaze had burned through much of the home's roof cavity and caused structural damage, Rural Fire Service Superintendent Jonathon Hill said.
About 60 firefighters were needed to bring the fire under control about 3.30am, but many were forced to withdraw before the roof caved in.