Woman Charged With Murder After Young Couple, Newborn Die In House Fire

A 46-year-old woman has been charged with murder and arson after she allegedly set fire to a mattress causing the death of a young family. Fire swept through a Point Cook townhouse on Wednesday morning, killing Abbey Forrest, 19, Inderpal Singh, 28, and newborn baby Ivy, according to a report by ABC News.

Jenny Hayes of Fawkner was remanded in custody on Thursday night after being charged with the deaths.

Though the court didn't disclose the relationship between the accused and the deceased, police said Hayes was not previously known to the young family. Her 19-year-old son, Harley, claimed his mother did not know anyone else was in the home at the time, adding that his mother contacted him after the alleged incident. According to him, she said: "I think I've done something stupid".

He told 9News that he felt "really numb" knowing his mother was allegedly involved in the deadly incident. Harley described her as a "loving mother" who had always tried to do what is best for him.

Emergency services were called to the property about Wednesday early morning following reports of a house fire that had spread to nearby residences. Neighbors who heard the mother's desperate screams and "frantic gasps for air" used an ax to try and save them but could not get to the family in time.

While the townhouse was destroyed by the blaze, two other nearby properties were also damaged. Arson chemists have forensically examined the property right after the incident.

Meanwhile, Emily Forrest, sister of the deceased woman, said the couple had only recently moved to the townhouse.

"They moved in just three weeks ago. They are just a really young happy couple, their life had pretty much just started. It should be the perfect time of their life, and now this awful tragedy has happened," she said.

Forrest has also started a GoFundMe post to cover the costs of their funerals, describing them as “beautiful souls."

“In the early hours of Wednesday on Dec. 2, a house fire in Point Cook claimed the lives of my 19-year-old sister, her loving partner and their almost 3-week old daughter. I’m raising money to help with the cost of funerals and memorials for all three of these beautiful souls who had their lives tragically cut short. Any help is greatly appreciated.”

Almost $4,000 had been donated as of Thursday afternoon.