The heartbroken father of two girls who tragically died in a fire at a flat in Tasmania has paid tribute to them, saying he misses them "so much it hurts".
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"To my babbie girl Shanzel Brewer I love you with all my heart... and your sister Ruby Brewer, I will always love yous two girls," Clifford Brewer posted in an emotional tribute on Facebook.
"I will always love yous two girl yous was the best thing that ever happened to me."
He later posted: "I miss them so much it hurts."
The bodies of the girls, Shanzel, 10, and Ruby, 13, were found after emergency services crews were called to the fire in a granny flat at Austin's Road, in Turner's Marsh near Launceston, about 3am on Sunday.
"The [flat] was being used as a bedroom and it was reported that two children were unaccounted for," a statement from Tasmania Police said.
"When emergency services arrived, they found the structure was fully alight. Once the fire was brought under control the bodies of the two children were located inside the structure."
Preliminary fire scene investigations have determined the fire may have been caused by an electrical fault.
Investigations are continuing and a report will be prepared for the coroner.
Online tributes from family and friends of the sisters have poured in following their deaths.
Their cousin, Kelsey Lee, said the family was left reeling by the tragedy.
"Waking up to hear this tragic news and still can't believe my two beautiful little cousins have been taken away from us," she posted on Facebook.
"You will forever be in my heart and I hope you both knew that I love you dearly. Rest in peace Ruby and Shanzel."
Another friend, Joel Bessell, expressed his shock and grief.
"No words can ever fix this," he wrote. "We are always here 4 u guys when u need us."
Their uncle, Ron Megsy Heatley, posted: "We will miss Shanzel and Ruby so much... 2 little angles taken so young from us.'
Paulette Bowron Baldwin said the girls had touched the hearts of all those who met them.
"Nothing can express our sadness in this tragedy," she wrote Facebook.
"Your beautiful girls will be greatly missed by everyone who had the pleasure of meeting them . Love to you all."
With the The Examiner
