"She's awake, lucid and able to speak," he said. The mother of the children slain in Cairns, who was taken from the crime scene on a stretcher, has been arrested over the deaths. Credit:Sky News "…We're not looking for anyone else. "We're comfortable that the community is safe and there's no need for concern." Speaking near the Manoora home, which was a hive of activity on Saturday morning with a steady stream of police and mourners, Inspector Asnicar said the home had not previously been a subject of concern for police.

"It's not a problem house, as has been speculated," he said. The scene of the tragedy. Credit:Fairfax Media "This is just an ordinary neighbourhood with a lot of good people and a lot of kids in the area. "This is just something that's caught everybody by surprise – it's just an absolutely tragic event." Seven of the children lived at the Murray Street house and one was visiting, Inspector Asnicar said, and was "from this part of the world".

The woman arrested was the mother of the seven children and aunt of the eighth, according to the Queensland Police Service. Pastor Michael Gela, who hails from same place as the family - Erub Island in the Torres Strait, is her traditionally adopted brother. "The family had concerns that she was suffering depression but would not get help. She said to me and my wife 'I'm not a girl who'll get advice from anyone'," he said. "She was always pretty polite when she was young. She always had a very good personality." Inspector Asnicar said the dead children had all been removed from the Murray Street house and autopsies would be performed later Saturday.

Inspector Asnicar said the ages of the children ranged from 18 months to 14 years, not 15 as previously advised. He said he expected the house to remain a crime scene for "at least a couple of days". A number of weapons, namely knives, had also been found and would be forensically examined in coming days. "Our very, very good scientists will be looking at those weapons and at some stage we'll be able to determine if we have the weapon," he said. Investigating police were faced with horrific scenes.

"My officers are coping very well," he said. "They're all professional people, they're very skilled in what they do. "We unfortunately get exposed to this type of thing more often than anybody would like to, but all the support mechanisms are there in place for us and for my staff. "They'll be fine." Assistant Commissioner for the northern police region Paul Taylor said officers had been sent to the Torres Strait to liaise with the community there.

The family hailed from Erub Island. "North Queensland has a very close-knit, multicultural community," he said. "Previously during disaster events, we've seen how communities on the back of disasters have galvanised their support for each other across different faiths, different cultures, where they've united to support people during their grief. "I see this as no different." Loading