UPDATE 1pm: TRIBUTES continue to arrive at the scene of the devastating fire that claimed the lives of a mother and three daughters early Boxing Day morning in Tewantin.

As forensic officers today look for the cause of the fire that killed Rachael Golinski and her daughters Sage, Willow and Starlia, friends and neighbours are leaving messages of love, flowers and toys, including poodles and bunnies.

One tribute described Rachael as an inspiration.

"You always helped me find the way. We love you all," read a card from Jane.

Another said Rachael, Sage, Willow and Starlia were "angels taken away too soon".

"We'll miss your constant smiles. RIP. Shane."

A young friend of the 12-year-old twins wrote, "Dear Sage and Willow, I had a great time with the both of you and I'll miss both of you. Ben."

A Royal Brisbane Hospital spokesperson confirmed this morning that the father, celebrity chef Matt Golinski, remained in a critical but stable condition after receiving third-degree burns to 40 per cent of his body in the incident yesterday.

No change is expected and he is being regularly observed.

Christmas ended in tragedy for the popular Ready Steady Cook regular when the fire engulfed his Sunshine Coast house about 3.30am yesterday.

media_camera Wellwishers leave flower in tribute outside the Sunshine Coast home where Rachael Golinski and her three daughters died. Picture: Megan Slade

Mourners gather at the house. Picture: The Courier-Mail

Ms Golinski, Starlia and 12-year-old twins Sage and Willow, who both suffered disabilities - died in the blaze despite his heroic efforts to save them.

After being woken by a terrible explosion, neighbours in Tewantin found Mr Golinski "burned from head to toe" screaming "my family, my family" outside his home.

Neighbour Gary Siljac, who ran to the scene, said Mr Golinski, despite his severe burns, was only concerned about his beloved family still trapped in the blaze.

"It was the most heartbreaking thing I have ever seen. There was nothing we could do," Mr Siljac said.

"Those kids were so cute and their mother was always smiling. They were the perfect little family."

media_camera Twins lost ... Sage and Willow Golinski / Pic: Andrew Seymour

The twin daughters of chef Matt Golinski, Sage and Willow, who died along with their mother and little sister Starlia. Picture: The Courier-Mail

Resident Jason Cassidy said he heard a bang and went outside to see smoke billowing and "a big orange glow" in the sky.

"You could feel the heat. It was well and truly going. Anyone inside would have had no hope," he said.

A Fire and Rescue unit arrived within 10 minutes after a series of emergency calls, with police arriving soon after.

But questions were raised about the arrival of a lone paramedic 27 minutes after being alerted.

Mr Golinski suffered serious burns to 40 per cent of his body and is in intensive care at Royal Brisbane Hospital.

He remains in a critical but stable condition.

His condition was unlikely to change last night, a hospital spokeswoman said.

Queensland Police are still investigating the cause of the fire, which gutted the timber house.

A Channel 10 spokeswoman said: "We are saddened to hear of the tragic events surrounding Matt and his family - our thoughts go out to him at this sad time."

media_camera AFTERMATH: The house at Jacrandra Place in Tewentin, where four people died. Picture: Glenn Barnes

The blaze gutted the Golinskis' home. Picture: Glenn Barnes

The TV chef ran his own tapas restaurant, The Rolling Dolmade, on the Sunshine Coast and has won a swag of local and international awards, including a bronze medal from Bologna's Internazionale della Cucina Bolognese for cooking fresh pasta.

Friends say the couple were devoted to each other and their daughters, focusing much of their spare time and energy on their twins, who suffered from a metabolic disorder with symptoms similar to cerebral palsy.

The girls underwent six years of intensive therapy to be able to talk, walk and take part in normal activities such as cycling and dancing alongside their older sister.

The couple wanted them to have the brightest future possible. Sadly that wasn't to be.

- with Rikki-Lee Arnold

Originally published as Outpouring of grief after Golinski fire