When Zoe Holohan walked down the aisle to marry the love of her life, Brian O’Callaghan-Westropp, she believed she was stepping into the happiest chapter of her life.
Their wedding day in Ireland was filled with joy, laughter, and tears of happiness.
But just days later, what should have been the start of a beautiful honeymoon in Greece turned into a tragedy she could never have imagined.
Honeymoon in Paradise That Became a Nightmare
The couple had chosen Mati, a quiet seaside town, for its calm beauty.
On their second day, however, wildfires swept through the area with terrifying speed.
With no warning sirens or alerts, Zoe and Brian were caught completely unaware.
Within hours, their villa was surrounded by flames, and they were forced to flee, hoping the sea would save them.
What followed was chaos, smoke, and desperation as they ran for their lives.
A Desperate Fight for Survival
Zoe remembers begging Brian to promise they would make it out alive.
The two scrambled over locked gates, ran through choking black smoke, and tried to avoid burning debris.
At one point, Zoe’s dress caught fire and Brian beat out the flames with his bare hands, injuring himself in the process.
Their nightmare only grew worse when they hitched a ride in a car that later collided with a burning tree.
Flames engulfed the vehicle, and in those final, horrifying moments, Brian was consumed by fire as Zoe watched helplessly.
A Rescue That Came Seconds Before It Was Too Late
With severe burns across her body, Zoe was ready to give up.
From the boot of the burning car, she called Brian’s name one last time, believing she was about to die.
Miraculously, a firefighter heard her cries, pulled her out, and carried her through the inferno to safety.
Though Zoe survived, Brian was gone—one of 104 victims of what became the deadliest wildfire in Greek history.
Grief Compounded by More Loss
In hospital, Zoe struggled not only with her physical injuries but also the unbearable grief of losing her husband.
Just weeks later, while still recovering, she also lost her father to a heart attack, unable to attend his funeral.
Her recovery involved multiple skin grafts, painful rehabilitation, and the slow, agonizing process of learning to walk and speak again.
Finding Strength Through Pain
Despite the darkness, Zoe’s resilience began to shine through.
She leaned on therapy, family, and her own determination to rebuild her life.
In 2021, she published her memoir As The Smoke Clears, detailing her survival and healing.
She has since become an advocate for burns awareness, speaking in schools and hospitals, and even walking the Dublin Women’s Mini Marathon with her medical team.
Across her chest, she now wears a dragon tattoo—her “warrior stamp”—symbolizing the strength she discovered in herself.
Living With Memories and Moving Forward
Zoe admits there are still moments that take her back to that terrible day—whether hearing news of wildfires or spotting Brian’s favorite biscuits in the supermarket. For years, anniversaries were unbearable.
But now, instead of hiding, she chooses to celebrate Brian’s life with his friends and family, honoring the joy he brought into the world.
Embracing New Beginnings
Seven years after that devastating fire, Zoe has found space in her heart to love again.
She is six months into a new relationship with a man who allows her to speak openly about her past and makes her feel at ease in her own skin.
And while she will always carry Brian in her heart, she knows he would want her to find happiness once more.
