Dad Dies along with 5 Sons in Attempt to Save Their Lives — Mom Was Left ‘Extremely Distressed'

A house in Moreton Bay Island burned down and killed a father and his five sons. The mother survived but suffered immense mental anguish after tragically losing her entire family.

Three houses on Moreton Bay Island were struck by fire, but one house, in particular, was burnt to ashes, leaving a father and his five young sons dead.

The fire reportedly occurred at 6:00 a.m., and one of the neighbors, Ricky Hale, was the first to be alerted. Hale tried his best to help, but the house was already in flames.

Hale emphasized that there was no way of getting into the house, but despite the massive flames, one man who managed to escape the house went back inside to try to save his five boys.

Dad Tries to Save His Children

Wayne Godinet raced back into the burning house to try to save his sons, 11, and 10, four-year-old twins, and a three-year-old. The father rushed in but was never able to get back out. The boys’ mother, Samantha, was able to escape but now suffers the loss of her entire family.

The couple shared the youngest three boys, and the eldest two were from Samantha's previous relationship. According to reports, another 20-year-old woman related to Samantha jumped from the first floor of the burning house. The two women suffered minor injuries but endured severe trauma.

Neighbors praised Godinet for his courage to save his children. “He was a hero, and he would have done anything in his power to get those kids out, so obviously, it was impossible,” said Angela Dawson, a family friend.

The firefighters went straight to work, put the fire out, and even brought out drones to spot hot spots. The fire bled into a neighboring house, but the occupants were able to make it out alive. Now that the fire has been extinguished, the fire department will lead an investigation into how the home caught fire.

Assistant Comm. John Cawcutt from the Fire and Emergency Services said with the house completely demolished, it will take time to clear out the remains and get to the bottom of what could have caused the deadly fire.

The Russell Island community members are also seeking answers. The residents all knew about each other and only had good things to say about Godinet as a father. “He was a really doting father. He always said he could not wait to get home and play with the kids," said Dawson.

The loss of these six lives will affect the extended family and the community members. As for Samantha, who lost her husband and children, she will be given as much help as possible to process the tragic loss.

How Is the Mother of the Five Children Coping?

Superintendent Mat Kelly confessed that they were still trying to calm the distraught mother down. "She is extremely distressed at this point in time,” he emphasized.

Reports stated that police were at the hospital the 28-year-old mother was admitted. The mother of five was reportedly not in any state to answer questions from the police. Samantha's 20-year-old relative was also released from the hospital.

The tragic death will forever be remembered by the members of the community. Godinet and his family had lived in the neighborhood for four years, and their two eldest sons attended the local primary school.

Mayor Karen Williams called an emergency meeting, stating that the community would receive as much help as needed. Red Cross-trained community members on the island had already offered services.

Williams also stated that fundraisers would be set up and monitored for all the money gathered to be distributed to the people affected by these horrific deaths.

Immense appreciation was extended to the first responders who were there to put out the fire as quickly as possible and had the courage to dig through the ravage and find the six bodies. The firefighters and everyone involved in the incident will receive therapy to help process this tragedy.

While Samantha did not suffer any major physical injuries, she has been emotionally tormented by the loss of her family, and we wish her strength as she navigates this huge loss.

Here is another story about a pregnant woman who risked her life to save a toddler hanging from a two-story window.