Footage has emerged of the moments before a fire broke out at a Brisbane house on Sunday morning, killing an eight-year-old girl and her babysitter.
Little Raven Contini was found dead inside the still-smoking house in the suburb of Thornside, before the body of Stephanie Ryan, 31, was later discovered.
CCTV showed a white van leaving the Bayside Court complex at 7.10am, three minutes before smoke was seen coming from the house.
As neighbors did their best to help, the van was seen returning four minutes later in footage obtained by 9News.
Police are investigating and no arrests have been made.
“Just because the homicide investigation unit is active does not mean we have confirmed anything sinister at this time,” Detective Inspector Paul Dalton said.
“The actual cause of the fire and the death of the people involved is simply not determined.”
The SUV has since been towed for forensic examination.
CCTV footage (pictured) has emerged of the moments before a fire broke out at a Brisbane house on Sunday morning, killing an eight-year-old girl and her babysitter.
Raven Contini (pictured) was found inside the still-smoking house in the suburb of Thornside.
His driver had been “very co-operative” with police, Inspector Dalton added.
“We have no suspects,” he said.
“There is nothing to indicate that this fire is suspicious in any way, but we will treat it as if it is, until we find it, we will make a determination one way or another.”
Police urged anyone with information, mobile phone or CCTV footage to come forward.
Police are also reviewing images from inside the housing complex.
Raven’s mother, Chloe Rodgers-Falk, and stepfather, Matthew, were on holiday in Ballina, New South Wales, at the time of the tragedy, and are “devastated”, Inspector Dalton said.
About 30 firefighters extinguished the fire, which caused part of the roof of the house to collapse.
Neighbor Xia Iheng told the alphabet He desperately tried to help after seeing the fire engulf the house.
‘I told (other witnesses) ‘I don’t have a hose, I only have buckets’ and a young lady helped me water the fire, but it was very strong,” he said.
“I feel overwhelmed, with a lot of emotions, just shocked and exhausted.”
Raven’s heartbroken family paid tribute to the girl on Sunday night.
“I loved to cook, I loved to shop, I love to socialize, a very special and much loved eight-year-old girl,” Christine Mary and Robert Arthur Rodgers-Falk said in a statement.
They nicknamed her Turtle. She was very pretty. She lifted us up when we saw her.
The house (pictured) was destroyed in the fire that started early Sunday morning.
Raven is pictured with her mother Chloe Rodgers-Falk and stepfather Matthew Rodgers-Falk.
Stephanie Ryan’s body (pictured) was later found, after she was initially listed as missing.
Relatives of both victims have organized online fundraisers.
“Stephy will always be remembered as a smiling and happy young woman, always there for anyone who needed her, without a doubt, with great love for her family and friends,” wrote Ryan’s aunt, Karen Linsley. GoFundMe.
‘We are all devastated with the news of what happened yesterday.
“We would like to give Steph the send-off she deserves. Our entire family greatly appreciates any help.”
