Woman, 75, dies in Cwmbran house fire with teenage boy arrested for ‘arson’

Aftermath of house fire on Henllys way that started on the evening of Saturday, October 18
The roof of the house has caved in (Picture: Richard Swingler/Media Wales)

An elderly woman has died in a suspected arson attack after a fire ripped through a home in Cwmbran, Wales.

A blaze erupted along Henllys Way, a lengthy road in the southern St Dials area, at around 8.40pm yesterday.

A woman, 75, died at the scene, while a boy, 17, has been arrested on suspicion of arson with intent to endanger life.

He remains in custody as of this morning. No one else is being looked for in connection with the incident.

A woman was killed in a suspected arson attack in her own home (PICTURED) - and a teenage boy has been arrested. Neighbours heard screams as flames tore the house before the 75-year-old woman's body was recovered from the burned wreckage. Police revealed a boy aged 17 had been arrested on suspicion of arson endangering life. Emergency services including police and the fire service were called to the house in Henllys Way in St Dials, Cwmbran, after being called to the scene at around 8.40pm on Saturday. On Sunday morning police confirmed a woman had died and a teenage boy has been arrested. Gwent Police superintendent Laura Bartley said: "We can confirm that a 75-year-old woman has died at the scene of the fire. Her family has been informed and will be supported by specially-trained officers. "We understand that reports of this nature can be concerning however we are not looking for anyone else in connection with this incident. ?Residents may see an increased number of officers in the area while inquires are being carried out. "If anyone has any information please speak to our officers or contact us in the usual way.? A force spokesman added: "We were called to a report of a fire at an address in Henllys Way, St Dials, Cwmbran, at around 8.40pm on Saturday, October 18. "Officers attended along with the South Wales Fire and Rescue Service and the Welsh Ambulance Service. "A 17-year-old boy was arrested on suspicion of arson with intent to endanger life and remains in police custody at this time." Henllys Way is a Seventies built housing development. But the one house badly damaged by fire with Its roof has caved in. An eyewitness in the area on Sunday said the property appeared to have been "gutted". She said: "There was a lot of flames and smoke on Saturday night and people were in the street screaming. I didn't know the old lady very well but she kept herself to herself." The Welsh Ambulance Service were also in attendance and Flightradar, an aircraft tracking site, shows an air ambulance landed near the scene. People in the area were asked by Gwent Police to keep their doors and windows closed on Saturday night. South Wales Fire and Rescue Service confirmed they were "in attendance" and urged people "please avoid the area". Local Catherine Boneva said: "Absolutely devastating, thoughts go out to the woman's family." Denise Haymen added: "Omg this made my heart break that poor lady she must off been petrified. Sending my condolences to her family." The boy has not been named by the police. An inquest is due to be opened on her death after a post mortem examination. WALES NEWS SERVICE
The elderly woman, who has not been named by police, died at the scene (Picture: WALES NEWS SERVICE)

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Police at the scene of a house fire in Henllys Way on Sunday
A teenager has been arrested (Picture: Richard Swingler/Media Wales)

Photographs of the two-storey home show that the roof has caved, with fire officials saying the first floor was gutted by the fire.

Firefighters said they dealt with a ‘large incident’ yesterday and urged locals to avoid the area and close their windows.

Superintendent Laura Bartley said in a statement to Metro: ‘We can confirm that a 75-year-old woman has died at the scene of the fire.

‘Her family has been informed and will be supported by specially trained officers.

‘We understand that reports of this nature can be concerning; however, we are not looking for anyone else in connection with this incident.

‘Residents may see an increased number of officers in the area while enquiries are being carried out.

‘If anyone has any information, please speak to our officers or contact us in the usual way.’

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