SAN ANTONIO -- Helen Madla often wonders what she did wrong to no longer have her husband, her mother and her granddaughter around in her life.

While she and her loved ones slept the night of Nov. 25, 2006, fire swept through the Madlas' home on the city's South Side.

There were no smoke detectors to warn the four about the fiery danger.

"The smoke puts you to sleep," Madla said in an interview Thursday night on KSAT 12 News.

Paramedics were able to revive Helen Madla, but they couldn't save the lives of the people most dear to her.

"When I woke up, I didn't know what happened," she said. "I didn't want to believe what had happened, I still don't want to believe. When you lose three lives, three important lives, it's difficult. You wonder why you're here. You wonder what did you do so wrong (that) you're not with them."

It's been a painful year for Madla, but with time she has accepted what happened and is moving on with her life.

She's now on a mission to educate the public on the importance of having smoke detectors in their home.

"I truly believe I am here to send a message," she said. "Don't let this happen to your family; what happened to me."

In honor of her husband who served the Texas Senate for years, Madla plans to team up with the San Antonio Fire Department on Friday to encourage families to get a smoke detector and to make sure they work.