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MUM'S HELL
I fought through smoke to save my baby from a burning holiday caravan… I was too late & it will haunt me forever
Natasha suffers from panic attacks after that day
A MUM has told of the horror moment she had to leave her baby in a fatal caravan fire.
Natasha Broadley, 36, was staying at Sealands Caravan Park, Ingoldmells, Lincolnshire, when the deadly blaze broke out on 23 August 2021.
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The mum-of-four risked her life to rescue three of her children, Lexus, 13, Timothy, 12, and James-Dean, seven, but sadly was unable to find her two-year-old through the smoke.
Despite her best efforts, Natasha's daughter Louisiana Brooke Dolan died in the fire that had started in the boiler cupboard.
An inquest into the blaze found there was not enough evidence to establish the cause of the fire and that the boiler could not be blamed, despite its service history being five months out of date.
'COMPLETELY NUMB'
Nearly three years on, and the family are still ''traumatised by the horrors of that night''.
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Natasha, a full time mum, from Clipstone, North Nottinghamshire, said: "I'm still completely numb.
"I've started to suffer from panic attacks - the smell of smoke or the sound of a fire crackling is now so triggering that I break down and can't cope.
"I did everything I could to save her, but the smoke was so thick and I couldn't see a thing.
"Every fibre of my being wanted to stay and keep looking for her, but deep down I knew she was gone, and I needed to get out to be with my other children.
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"No mother should have to make that decision."
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The tragedy unfolded after the single mum took her four kids on a week-long summer holiday.
At the start of their break, she noticed the button to start the boiler wasn't working and informed the caravan owner.
Natasha explained: "I was told it could be turned on using a lighter, but I didn't feel comfortable doing that.
"Three days later, someone came round to turn it on for me."
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'I WAS SCREAMING'
The family had booked the trip months in advance and had been enjoying Louisiana's first holiday.
Natasha got in the shower with her daughter Lexus, while Timothy, James-Dean and Louisiana watched TV in the living room.
Moments later, the caravan suddenly filled with smoke.
Natasha said: "The smoke was so dark that I couldn't even see the toilet that was only a meter away from me.
"I opened a window and shouted at Lexus and Timothy, who were old enough to climb out by themselves.
"I was screaming trying to find my youngest two.
"I managed to grab hold of James-Dean, but I couldn't find Louisiana.
"I was naked from the shower, frantically patting the furniture trying to find her.
"The smoke was so thick, it was like powder."
'I DID ALL I COULD'
Once three of her children were safely outside, Natasha went back into the burning caravan to find Louisiana, but after a few minutes was eventually forced to leave her behind.
Natasha said: "I did all I could, but I couldn't hold my breath any longer and I could hear my other children screaming outside.
"I had to throw myself out the window and then I collapsed - my kids thought I was dead."
Nothing will bring her back, but I want to do all I can to make sure no other family has to go through the hell that we are
Natasha Broadley
An inquest found that Louisiana died from inhalation of the products of combustion, and also revealed that the caravan was not fitted with a smoke alarm.
The caravan park was not investigated in connection with the investigation.
The family are still coming to terms with Louisiana death but are trying to find ways to carry on.
James-Dean, now seven, always talks about his little sister, and says that she is still with them.
Natasha is now campaigning to raise awareness around fire safety and legislation in caravans.
Natasha said: "Smoke comes before fire, and if there had been fire alarms then my daughter would still be here today.
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"Nothing will bring her back, but I want to do all I can to make sure no other family has to go through the hell that we are."
Natasha has started a petition on behalf of her daughter - you can sign it here.
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