Family mourns Gympie house fire victim
A Queensland family has been left to mourn the death of their young daughter after a fire erupted in their family home.
Alexis Dean, 12, was critically burned while being trapped in the blazing bedroom of her Gympie home. She has since died in hospital, where doctors were unable to save her.
Alexis passed away in the early hours of Wednesday morning at Brisbane's Lady Cilento Children's Hospital, two days after firefighters pulled her from a blaze which consumed the family's home.
Alexis' organs had been donated to help others and are calling for privacy so they can grieve in peace. Photo: Supplied
Alexis' family said in a statement that their daughter's organs had been donated to help others. They have asked for privacy so they may grieve in peace.
"We are grateful that Alexis was able to donate her organs and give life to others, and this was in keeping with how she always wanted to help others," the family said.
"We would like to thank the community for the support we have received during this very difficult time.
"We ask respectfully to now be left to grieve in private."
Alexis was trapped inside a bedroom when her family's Monkland home, in Gympie's south, caught fire early on Monday morning and firefighters risked their lives to pull her out.
Her mother and two other children were able to escape the blaze.
Firefighters are yet to determine exactly what caused the fire but believe it started in a bedroom of the home.
Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk was among many who paid tribute to the little girl, with a heartfelt message on social media.
"The thoughts and prayers of Queenslanders are with the family and loved ones of Alexis Dean," she wrote. "Such a tragedy."
