The grieving father of three children who perished in a Queensland house fire has spoken publicly for the first time as he bravely returned to the gutted remains of his home.

Justin Gibson, 34, made an emotional visit to the Harristown property in Toowoomba on Monday, five days after he and his young family were forced to flee the burning home in the middle of the night.

His nine-year-old son died in the blaze – his body found after it was extinguished – while his two daughters, aged four and seven later died in hospital.

The three deceased children had all been sleeping in the same bedroom.

Flanked by supportive family and friends, Mr Gibson took time to read the many cards from well-wishers and gather soft toys and flowers left in memory of his children outside the cordoned off Merritt Street home on Monday.

His partner and the mother to their children, Ellouisa Brighton Gibson, 36, remains in a critical condition under police guard 130km away in the Royal Brisbane and Women’s Hospital after she suffered burns to one third to her body.

She is under investigation for allegedly dousing her children in petrol as they slept before setting them alight when the house went up in flames at about 12.30am on Wednesday. Police are yet to lay charges.

‘It’s an open investigation and the truth will come out,’ Mr Gibson told Daily Mail Australia.

His partner and mother to their children, Ellouisa Brighton Gibson, 36, is in a critical condition and under police guard in Royal Brisbane and Women's Hospital.

His partner and mother to their children, Ellouisa Brighton Gibson, 36, is in a critical condition and under police guard in Royal Brisbane and Women’s Hospital.

Mr Gibson took time to read the many cards from well-wishers and gather soft toys and flowers left in memory of his children

Mr Gibson took time to read the many cards from well-wishers and gather soft toys and flowers left in memory of his children

His arm still bandaged arm, Mr Gibson spent almost an hour taking in the devastating scene

His arm still bandaged arm, Mr Gibson spent almost an hour taking in the devastating scene

Police caution tape and a no entry sign remained around the gutted property on Monday

Police caution tape and a no entry sign remained around the gutted property on Monday

‘I don’t want to say anything now, I’m still grieving.

‘We can wait for the trial and then everyone will know what really happened.’

His arm still bandaged, Mr Gibson spent almost an hour taking in the devastating scene. 

Before leaving the home,  Mr Gibson briefly visited a neighbour and arrived back with a basket, which he filled with more than a dozen soft toys lovingly placed alongside flowers from members of the community. 

‘Sending love to above,’ read one card attached to flowers. 

‘Fly high beautiful angels,’ read another.

In the backyard, washing was still hanging on the line, toys were strewn across the lawn, along with an abandoned swing set, trampoline and padding pool with nobody left to play on it.

Mr Gibson was supported by his sister as he peered through the fence covered in  police caution tape.

An abandoned stroller remained in the driveway, another painful reminder of Mr Gibson's unfathomable loss

An abandoned stroller remained in the driveway, another painful reminder of Mr Gibson’s unfathomable loss

Well-wishers have left dozens of bright flowers and soft toys in the memory of the three children who died in the blaze

Well-wishers have left dozens of bright flowers and soft toys in the memory of the three children who died in the blaze

Mr Gibson has been hailed a hero after it was revealed he and the eldest child, 18, had desperately tried to help others escape the flames, braving the flames to try to pluck the youngsters to safety.

Mr Gibson has been hailed a hero after it was revealed he and the eldest child, 18, had desperately tried to help others escape the flames, braving the flames to try to pluck the youngsters to safety.

An abandoned stroller remained in the driveway, another painful reminder of his unfathomable loss.

Mr Gibson has been hailed a hero after it was revealed that he and the eldest son, 18, had desperately tried to help younger family members escape the flames, braving the flames to try to pluck the children to safety.

The two men were taken to Toowoomba Hospital and both discharged the next morning on Thursday. An 11-year-old boy was uninjured, police said.

Detectives said emergency responders had found the mother at the front of the home as it was engulfed by the inferno.

Sources familiar with the investigation allege petrol was found at the front of the home.

Police said that Ms Gibson remained in a serious condition but expected to survive.

‘We do know she will be in hospital for an extensive period of time,’ Detective Superintendent George Marchesini said last Thursday.

‘Obviously we want to talk to all those persons that were present, we’ve already undertaken that with some of the people that were at the house and have been released from hospital.

‘Part of our investigation is talking to all people – that will include the 36-year-old woman.’

Fly High beautiful angels - read one card

Fly High beautiful angels – read one card

In the backyard, washing was still hanging on the line and toys were strewn across the lawn

In the backyard, washing was still hanging on the line and toys were strewn across the lawn

Before leaving the house on Monday, Mr Gibson visited a neighbour and returned with a basket which was filled with soft toys left in memory of the three kids who died in the blaze

Before leaving the house on Monday, Mr Gibson visited a neighbour and returned with a basket which was filled with soft toys left in memory of the three kids who died in the blaze

Mr Marchesini said police had previously dealt with the family but wouldn’t give further details.

However, it has since been revealed the mother, who has gone by various aliases, was known to welfare authorities in all mainland Australian jurisdictions except Queensland and the ACT.

Family friend Grace Halaufia has set up a GoFundMe to support Mr Gibson and the surviving children in the wake of the tragedy.

‘My dear friend Justin’s family have endured a tragic house fire which has caused devastation,’ she wrote.

‘Justin wishes for the details to remain somewhat private as this is an extremely tough time for him and his children with unfortunate casualties.

‘We would like to start this fundraiser in hopes to raise money for his children, children’s medical expenses, accommodation, and other supports needed in this hard time.

‘Justin is a hard-working disability support worker who is a dedicated and loving father who always put others before himself. This event has been unimaginable and any support would be greatly appreciated.

More than $3,800 has been raised towards the $10,000 target.

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