Updated ,first published
A 21-year-old Moreton Bay woman who died after suffering significant burns in a unit fire on the Sunshine Coast has been described as a vibrant and devoted young mother, as police continue to investigate whether the blaze was deliberately lit.
Emergency services were called to reports of a unit on King Street in Buderim fully engulfed in flames at 7.30pm on Sunday.
Kallangur woman Isabella Nicholls was inside at the time and was unable to escape before sustaining significant, life-threatening burns.
A 32-year-old woman known to Nicholls was also inside when the fire broke out, but managed to escape before it took hold.
Fire crews extinguished the blaze about an hour later.
Police said a neighbour treated Nicholls for her burns, before she was rushed to Royal Brisbane and Women’s Hospital.
She died as a result of her injuries about 4.30am on Monday.
In a statement on Monday, Nicholls’ family described her as a “devoted and loving mother to her beautiful baby boy” and said they were “absolutely shattered” by her death.
“It is with the heaviest of hearts that we share the devastating loss of our beautiful Isabella Nicholls.
“Despite the incredible efforts of the medical team, our precious girl passed away surrounded by her loving family at Brisbane’s Royal Women’s Hospital.
“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.”
Robert Lowry, from the Sunshine Coast district’s Criminal Investigation Branch, said a crime scene had been declared at the unit on Monday.
“The scene was quite confronting for all of the emergency services that attended,” he said.
“I feel for the family of the deceased lady, and I understand that the family is also receiving support.”
Lowry said the investigation was in its early stages, but police were speaking with people who were assisting with their inquiries.
Residents of neighbouring units were evacuated when the fire broke out but have since returned to their homes.
Her family has set up a gofundme page to help cover the costs of her funeral and memorial service.
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