The young victims of a devastating Blue Mountains house fire have been identified as Myla Summer‑Lea Hughes, 10, and River William Higgins, three.
The two children died in the blaze, while their father and three siblings escaped the inferno, which occurred at about 2am on Monday at the family’s home in Bowen Mountain, in the foothills of the Blue Mountains.
The fire broke out on the morning the family of eight had been due to move interstate to ‘begin a new chapter together’.
The children’s mother, Skye Hughes, was travelling to their new home in Queensland when the fire started.
All four survivors were discharged from Nepean Hospital on Tuesday morning after being treated for smoke inhalation and minor burns.
A GoFundMe has been launched by a family friend to help the Hughes‑Higgins family plan funeral and memorial expenses and emergency accommodation costs.
‘Beloved children of Skye Hughes and David Higgins, these precious lives were deeply loved, and this unimaginable tragedy has left the family facing profound grief, trauma and overwhelming loss,’ organiser Natasha Holden said.
‘The family wishes to express their deepest gratitude for the extraordinary support already shown by first responders, hospital staff, friends, extended family, and the broader community.

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Myla Summer-Lea Hughes, 10, tragically died in the Bowen Mountains house fire on Monday

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Her three-year-old brother River William Higgins also passed away

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By the time firefighters arrived, the blaze had burned through much of the home’s roof cavity and caused structural damage
‘Every donation, regardless of size, will directly assist the family as they navigate unimaginable heartbreak and begin the long journey toward healing and rebuilding.’
Ms Holden said the funds will also help the family, whose children are aged between 16 and three, purchase clothing, personal belongings, essential necessities, and trauma counselling, healing and recovery services.
She then thanked those who had donated for ‘standing beside this family during the most heartbreaking time of their lives.’
At the home on Tuesday morning, among an assortment of flowers, toy racing cars and teddy bears, were handwritten notes paying tribute to little Myla and River.
A young relative arrived at the property with a family friend, visibly limping as he unlocked the front gate and walked toward the remains of the house.
Weeping, the young man could be seen picking up plants from the garden and placing them in the boot of the car.
He placed a bouquet in front of the gate, dangled two flowers from the fence, and stood silently in front of it for a minute of reflection and commemoration.
Verena, who lives across the mountain, said the news was devastating for the community.
‘I live the other side of the mountain, I woke up in the middle of the night to the sound of helicopters, then my friend from Castle Hill told me what happened. My kids grew up playing along here, absolutely devastating. The poor family.’

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A grieving young relative (left), visibly limping, unlocked the front gate before walking quietly towards the remains of the family home

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The blaze, which took two firefighters two hours to get under control, caused extensive damage to the home
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, NSW Rural Fire Service Superintendent Jonathon Hill said.
About 60 firefighters were needed to bring the fire under control at about 3.30am, but many were forced to withdraw before the roof caved in.
Hawkesbury Headquarters Rural Fire Brigade said their district ‘stood together with professionalism, strength, and care’ and commended those involved for working under such challenging circumstances.
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