Sydney mum dies after freak barbecue fire as her two children watched in horror

Published: 07:20, 21 July 2026 | Updated: 07:21, 21 July 2026 A Sydney mother has died after she was set on fire in a freak accident involving a barbecue in front of her two young children. Charlotte Rose-Ann Hill, 38, died earlier this month hours after undergoing surgery to treat serious burns she sustained in the devastating incident. Ms Hill was setting up a barbecue in her backyard to celebrate the school holidays when she caught fire, with her screams catching the attention of her 11-year-old son Noah and seven-year-old daughter Billie-Rose.  'Her youngest daughter screamed,' Ms Hill's cousin, Bianca Hill, told news.com.au. 'She screamed the loudest she has ever screamed in her life to alert their dad, who was getting ready to go to work. 'I'm actually extremely proud of the way that they handled the situation despite how traumatic it would have been for them... (her son) used his jacket to try and put out the fire on his mum.' Neither of Ms Hill's children were injured during the incident.  Charlotte Rose-Ann Hill died earlier this month after suffering serious burns in a freak barbecue accident  The mum was about to roast marshmallows with her two children when she caught alight Her cousin Bianca Hill said she would 'do anything' to make her kids have a happy childhood Their father provided first aid until paramedics arrived and took Ms Hill to hospital, accompanied by Bianca.  While Ms Hill survived the initial surgery, she died hours later after suffering an unexpected medical complication during her recovery.  In a heartbreaking twist, Ms Hill witnessed her own mother's death when she was young and had never wanted her children to experience the same pain.  'Tragically, that is now the reality Noah and Billie-Rose must face. No child should have to navigate the loss of their mother so young,' Bianca said. 'Having recently celebrated her 38th birthday, Charlotte had overcome more challenges than most could imagine.  'After years of resilience and determination, life was finally beginning to look brighter.' Bianca, who has launched a GoFundMe campaign for the family, said donations would help cover Ms Hill's funeral costs, financial pressures, schooling expenses and support for the children's mental and emotional wellbeing. 'She broke hearts with her beautiful smile. Anywhere she went, people were just in awe of how absolutely stunning this girl is,' Bianca said.  'Not just on the outside, but she was always just such a generous and very kind person with the biggest heart. 'She'd do anything to make her kids' day. She would literally do anything at all just to make sure they have a happy childhood.'