EMERGENCY services held a joint press conference at the scene of yesterday's fatal blaze.

South Wales Fire and Rescue Service area manager Ian Greenman sent the services' condolences to the family of Samantha Thomas who died at the scene yesterday morning.

He said: "I wish to extend my sympathies on behalf of South Wales Fire and Rescue Service to the family and friends of the individual who sadly lost their life today.

"We are now working closely with our Gwent Police colleagues to carry out a full investigation and await the outcomes of this inquiry.

"I would also like to thank the firefighters from our Cwmbran, Malpas and New Inn stations for their sterling efforts in dealing with this incident under difficult circumstances."

Gwent Police Superintendent Marc Budden, said a man had been arrested and they were looking into the cause of the fire.

Mr Budden said: “We were called at 6.43am to a fire at an address on Shakespeare Road, St Dials, Cwmbran.

“A female was sadly pronounced dead at the scene. She can now be named as 29-year-old Samantha Thomas from Cwmbran.

“A 49-year-old man from Cwmbran, was taken to the Royal Gwent Hospital with smoke inhalation, and has since been arrested on suspicion of murder.”

He added: “The address affected was one of a block of four flats. The remaining flats have been evacuated, and our Emergency Planning department is working with the local authority and Bron Afon Community Housing to arrange alternative accommodation for them.

“We remain at the scene with the Fire Service to undertake further enquiries.”

Residents said they were woken up by the sounds of the fire and screams coming from the flat.

Stephen Bates, of Shelley Green opposite Shakespeare Road, said: “I heard a big bang and saw that the window was blown out. I heard lots of people screaming of shouting.”

He added: "It was really bad with black smoke everywhere. I phoned the fire brigade as soon as I realised what was happening. I was shaking at the time, worrying about the people in the flat.”

Gaynor Haines, who lives opposite the flat where the fire broke out, said she was woken up by someone screaming and went to look out the window to see what was happening.

"I got up to look out the window and there was just an inferno,” she said.

She also paid tribute to Samantha Thomas after she died in the fire:

“She was a really nice girl.

“She didn't do any harm to anyone.”

Anyone with information relating to this incident is asked to call 101 quoting log 33 19/05/15.