A BABY'S high chair, a bicycle without a saddle, a teddy bear in the small backyard of the Maher home the burned remnants of a family's life were strewn in the ashes.
A child's copybook had an essay in Irish on a charred page. On the ground lay the washing line, the clothes still attached by pegs.
A burned out electric cooker lay on its side with the grill door open. It is suspected this may have caused the fire.
It is difficult to believe that a family with 11 children once lived in this tiny three bed roomed house, now a black shell. But they did and were exceptionally happy, according to neighbours.
Six victims of the fire were carried out of the house at Marian Hill, Portarlington, in the early hours of Sunday morning. The last was Martina, just two years old.
"I will never forget it," said next door neighbour Mrs Una Kelly. "It was heartbreaking. When I went to bed last night all I could see was flames.
Mrs Kelly said she heard screams at 4.20 a.m. on Sunday. She heard Alo Maher shouting "get out" and banging on her door.
Outside the Maher house yesterday was an ever increasing mound of flowers. Shocked neighbours are trying to raise money to rehouse the family and meet medical expenses. It seems there is no one in the town who did not know at least one member of the family.
Yesterday buckets full of money were brought to the Portarlington GAA club, where over 100 people had gathered, representing all sections of the community. Portlaoise Prison officers donated £7,000.
At the local St Joseph's CBS, Vincent, who is being treated for minor burns, had been due to sit his Leaving Certificate from tomorrow. He was voted Student of the Year last week by teachers and students.
On the wall was a picture of Colm Maher (25), a Laois county GAA player who was still in critical condition in St James's Hospital, Dublin, last night.
His father Aloysius, deeply shocked according to friends, was staying with his brother Paddy. Yesterday he travelled to Dublin to visit Colm.
There were distressing scenes as the bodies of Mrs Breda Maher (48), her sons Mark (23), and Barry (12), and daughters Joanne (9), Fiona (5) and Martina (2) were removed yesterday evening to St Michael's Church.
Afterwards, the local curate, Father P.J. Byrne, said Mass at Marian Hill at the invitation of the Mahers' neighbours. He said that everyone held the family in very high esteem.
Donations to the Maher Family Fund can be made to account number 13782012 at AIB Bank, Main Street, Portarlington, Co Laois.