102-year-old Lillian Sadie Boot remembered as ‘always smiling’ after house fire death

The 102-year-old woman killed in a tragic house fire has been remembered as a beloved neighbour who was the “character of the street” and “always smiling”.

Lillian Boot has been remembered as ‘always smiling’. She died in a house fire at her Coburg home on Monday night. Picture: Carmelo Bazzano

The 102-year-old woman killed in a tragic house fire has been remembered as a beloved neighbour who was the “character ofthe street” and “always smiling”.

One neighbour recalled Coburg woman Lillian Sadie Boot proudly showed off a letter from the Prime Minister, congratulatingher on her 100th birthday after emergency services were called to her Reynard St home after reports of a fire at about 11.45pmon Monday.

Neighbour Joe Anderson said Ms Boot, who had lived at their house her whole life, was a well-known figure in the area anda much-loved local personality.

“Over the years everyone had come to known her — she was the character of the street — always walking up and down the street,” he said.

“Everyone saw her and said, ‘Here comes Sadie’. She was always with her trolley and her dog Ricky.”

Mr Anderson said she was “always happy” and never shy of a friendly chat.

“Sadie was happy to lean over the fence and have a chat,” he said.

“She was a nice Coburg person.”

Lillian Sadie Boot has been remembered as a much-love centenarian. Picture: Carmelo Bazzano

Ms Boot was also renowned among her neighbours for being a strong local advocate, stand up for her fellow residents in timesof need.

“She was really outspoken and fierce,” Mr Anderson said.

In 2015 Ms Boot called for the harsher penalties for illegal fireworks after a wayward cracker struck and damaged her frontwall and security door.

One neighbour, who wished to remain anonymous, said he was “utterly devastated” by the tragedy.

“It’s extremely sad, especially because of the conditions she died under,” he said.

The woman, who lived alone, had become less mobile in the past year but was still mentally sharp.

Neighbours saw smoke coming from the home about midnight on Monday. Picture: Himangi Singh

“She was very fragile but lucid. Sometimes she walked around with help,” the neighbour said.

“She was always smiling and would tell us lots of stories.”

Neighbour Jerry said he woke up to the sound of the fire brigade sirens on the silent street.

“We didn’t see flames but there was a lot of smoke coming from the house,” he said.

Another neighbour said he didn’t know the elderly woman who hardly ever came outside the house.

“It’s devastating for it to happen on our quiet street,” he said.

“We didn’t know her personally but we knew she was an elderly woman living next door.”

Victoria Police confirmed the fire was not suspicious and a report will be prepared for the coroner.