Sarah Purcell was home with four of her children and partner Adam Triffett on Thursday when the blaze broke out. Her three-year-old daughter Timayia was playing in a nearby bedroom when Ms Purcell realised something was wrong. 

“I was busy feeding my 10-week-old when it all happened,” she said. 

“Timayia had told me she was going to the the toilet. I yelled out to her a few times and when she didn’t respond I went to see what was going on.”

That was when Ms Purcell realised the house was on fire. 

It is believed Timayia was playing with a barbecue lighter when a foam mattress caught alight. 

Ms Purcell said they only had minutes to escape the house, quickly waking her partner Adam Triffett. 

With only three of the children accounted for, Mr Triffett said ran back into the burning home to find Timayia. 

“She was hiding in a built-in wardrobe,” he said.

“I saw the mattress on fire and Timayia was screaming she was so scared.”

Mr Triffett spent a night at the Launceston General Hospital where he was treated for injuries sustained in the fire. Tasmania Fire Service deemed the fire accidental, with damage estimated at $40,000.

The family have been staying with relatives in Ravenswood and Ms Purcell said they have been overwhelmed by community support. 

“As of Thursday the kids didn’t even have shoes to wear,” she said. 

“I can’t thank people enough for their donations.”