What is more painful than a child growing up without a mother’s embrace: Choked up by the tearful tributes from loved ones for Isabella Nicholls
The family of a 21-year-old woman who died after a fire ripped through a unit on Queensland’s Sunshine Coast say they are grieving an “irreplaceable loss” as they raise money for her funeral, and to support her baby son.
Isabella Nicholls, 21, of Kallangur, died after suffering extensive burns in the Buderim blaze on Sunday night.
The unit was fully engulfed at 7:30pm, with five firefighting crews needing more than an hour to extinguish the flames.
Ms Nicholls was able to flee the burning home but was taken to Royal Brisbane and Women’s Hospital in a critical condition.
The Buderim unit was gutted by the fire. (ABC News: Madeline Grace)
She died in hospital early on Monday morning and leaves behind her two-year-old son.
Investigating officers spent yesterday at the gutted King Street unit, which had been declared a crime scene.
They shut down the crime scene on Monday night and shifted focus to testing evidence collected from the site.
Police said there were no persons of interest and all witnesses had been cooperative so far.
Isabella Nicholls was raising her young son. (Supplied: Family)
Investigators are still working to determine the cause of the fire, as a report is prepared for the coroner.
The Department of Housing says the smoke alarm in the Sunshine Coast unit was tested in February as part of an inspection.
‘So much life left to live’
Ms Nicholl’s cousin, Stephanie Weatherall, speaking on the family’s behalf, said the 21-year-old was at the unit visiting her boyfriend’s family.
“Our entire family feels this irreplaceable loss so deeply,” she said.
“[Ms Nicholls] had so much life left to live.”
Ms Weatherall said the entire family was grieving and stricken by what the beloved mum endured.
Isabella Nicholls will be remembered as a loving mother. (Supplied: Family)
“Isabella was a devoted and loving mother to her beautiful baby boy, Elijah, who will now grow up without his mummy,” Ms Weatherall said.
“Our family is absolutely shattered by this unimaginable loss, and the heartbreak is beyond words.
“Isabella was a vibrant, kind, and beautiful soul with her whole life ahead of her. She had a smile that could light up any room and a contagious laugh that none of us will ever forget.
Isabella Nicholls grew up and went to school at Dirranbandi. (Supplied: Family)
“She touched the lives of so many people with her warmth, compassion, and beautiful spirit, and her absence has left an irreplaceable void in all of our hearts.”
Ms Weatherall said Ms Nicholls was also a much-loved daughter, sister, granddaughter, niece, cousin and friend.
Investigations are ongoing.
SOURCE: ABC
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-07-21/isabella-nicholls-remembered-as-police-investigate-unit-fire/106939146
