Geraldton house fire parents Melissa and Matthew Mongoo grieve one son while other fights for life
Heartbroken parents of teen who died in horror house fire that left their other son and a friend fighting for life plead desperately: ‘We haven’t had time to cry’
- Home fire claims 13-year-old boy’s life
- His brother and friend are fighting for their lives
The devastated parents of a 13-year-old boy who died in a house fire say they can only seize fleeting moments to mourn as their other son is still fighting for life in hospital.
The fire broke through the home of the Mongoo family in the Western Australian town of Geraldton, 400 km north of Perth, last Thursday.
Nulla Mongoo, 13, suffered severe burns to 90 percent of his body and died at Perth Children’s Hospital on Monday.
Matt, Nullar’s 14-year-old brother, is unconscious in the hospital, where he was in serious condition Wednesday night.
A 12-year-old male friend of the boys, who slept over, is also hospitalized and in critical condition.
Nulla Mongoo, 13, (pictured right) suffered fatal burns in the blaze, while his brother Matt, 14, is in hospital
Melissa and Matthew Mongoo said the tragedy was overwhelming.
“I miss my baby,” Mrs. Mongoo said with tears in her eyes.
“Yesterday I locked myself away because it’s just too much.”
“It’s very difficult at the moment, we’re just confused,” an emotional Mr Mongoo told Seven News.
The parents said they spent every minute by Matt’s side and couldn’t organize a funeral for Nulla.
“We haven’t even had time to properly mourn or cry or anything,” Mr. Mongoo said.
Their house was destroyed by the fire and all that remains are the four walls.
“We don’t have a house now,” Mrs. Mongoo said.
Melissa and Matthew Mongoo mourn the loss of one of their sons, while another fights for his life after their home went up in flames
The couple begs the public’s help to reboot their lives.
a GoFundMe page was created by Nadine Ryan, Mrs. Mongoo’s daughter-in-law.
The page describes Nulla as “brave and strong” and says he “fought to the end.”
“We will all miss his beautiful big smile and funny sense of humor,” the page reads.
“The family, his friends and our community are devastated and feel the loss.”
The page reveals that the family lost another son in 2017, aged 25, and details the heartbreak that Mrs. Mongoo finds “unimaginable.”
“No human being, mother or parent wishes this to anyone,” it says.
“The family is seeking the support of family, friends and the community for donations large or small, or please share this page with your networks to raise money.”
The cause of the fire has yet to be determined.