Cwmbran fire: Man still held over Buckley family murders

Police are continuing to question a man over the deaths of three members of a family in a house fire in Cwmbran, south east Wales on Tuesday morning.

Kim Buckley, 46, daughter Kayleigh, 17, and six-month-old grand-daughter Kimberley died on the Coed Eva estate.

Police said neighbours tried to save them but were beaten back by flames.

A 27-year-old man from the Manchester area was arrested shortly after the fire and is being held on suspicion of murder.

Even pupils who didn't know her particularly well have been traumatised by it”

Meanwhile tributes continue to pour in for the victims.

Rachel Speed, from Fairwater High School which Kayleigh attended, said she was remembered fondly there.

"It was devastating today," she said. "Absolute travesty. Not just for the pupils and the staff but for the wider community as well.

"Even pupils who didn't know her particularly well have been traumatised by it. They've been offered counselling within the school."

Friends of the Buckley family have spoken of their shock at their loss.

Terena Mellor, 26, a friend of Kim Buckley, described her as "a character, very loud and fun-loving".

"If she saw you on the other side of the road she would have shouted out your name and asked you how you were," she said.

Ms Mellor said she believed daughter Kayleigh had been pregnant with twin daughters but had tragically lost one in birth.

The surviving daughter, Kimberley, had only recently been allowed home after spending time in intensive care at the Royal Gwent Hospital, in Newport.

Ms Mellor added: "This is such a tragedy. Kim and Kayleigh were very close and this should have been a happy time for everyone in the family.

"It is difficult to believe what has happened."

Police have referred the case to the Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC) as officers had been called to the address on other occasions.

In a statement issued on Tuesday evening, the force said: "Gwent Police can confirm that, while we cannot comment on particular details of incidents, we are aware that police officers have attended 15 Tillsland, Coed Eva on previous occasions."

They added that because of this previous contact, the case had been voluntarily referred to the IPCC.

Paying tribute to two neighbours who had tried to rescue the Buckleys, Chief Inspector Steve Corcoran said: "At least two male neighbours tried valiantly and bravely, using a ladder, to save the family, but unfortunately the fire was too fierce."

He added: "This is a clearly a tragic and horrendous incident where three generations of the same family have sadly lost their lives."

Firefighters were called to the scene at around 03:30 BST on Tuesday.

Gwent Police said any witnesses should contact police on 101 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.