A FUN-LOVING mother-of-two has been killed in a fire that destroyed three houses.

Jane Crotty, of Hazel Avenue, West Drayton, died from smoke inhalation in the blaze at Coopers Court, Mile End, east London.

The 27-year-old had been to the E3 nightclub where she had won a dancing competition, then went back to a friend's flat. After the fire broke out shortly before 3.15am on June 8 she was unable to escape.

Her body was discovered in the stairwell of the flats in Wentworth Mews.

Speaking to the Gazette on Monday, Jane's devastated mother, Patricia, 48, told of the family's devastation at losing their daughter.

She said: "She was a lovely woman. She loved her children, she loved life.

"She lived her life to the full - she was still dancing on her way home. The club was only across the road.

"I'm devastated. I'm still in shock. I can't even really talk about.

"It's been a week and nothing has got easier. For a mother to bury her own child is terrible."

The shocked mother-of-six said Jane's two sons, Stevie Jay, 10, and Reece, eight, had returned to Cherry Lane Primary School this week.

Jane's father, John Crotty, died of cancer a few years ago.

Mrs Crotty said: "We've been to choose the coffin and we told the children: 'That's where mum's going to be sleeping, she's with God now'."

Jane's siblings, April, 26, Jimmy, 24, John, 20, Tammy, 17 and Chelsea, 10, have all been rocked by the news.

April said: "She loved her family with her whole heart.

"I'm trying to stay strong but my sister was my best friend, we were joined at the hip. She left an effect on so many people."

A song in tribute to her favourite place, Dungarvan in Ireland, where her mother and father married, will be played at the funeral at St Augustine's Church, Hammersmith, on Monday.

Mrs Crotty added: "I couldn't walk through Uxbridge the other day because she loved fashion and every thing reminded me of her. "We've got so many people helping us I don't think it's going to sink in until I see the coffin."

Mourners can visit the coffin at Mrs Crotty's home from 10.30am on Monday. The funeral is at noon.