Blaze death police seek youths

Police are still investigating events leading up to the fire

Detectives investigating the murder of a 68-year-old woman during an arson attack on her south Wales home have said they want to to talk to two teenagers.

Police have been examining links between the petrol attack on Mrs Ruth Whitton's home in Oakdene Close in Baglan, Port Talbot, with a similar incident which burned out her son's home in nearby Glenview Terrace almost two weeks earlier.

John Whitten is expected to make a full recovery

Falklands war hero John Whitton, 39, had been staying with her ever since because of the damage - the first of two "grudge" attacks, police believe.

Fire-fighters rescued him from his mother's smoke-filled semi last week. He was taken to Morriston Hospital in Swansea, but released on Wednesday.

Earlier this week, police said two teenagers had been seen acting suspiciously near scene of the first fire in the early hours of 13 June.

It is not known whether the suspects are male or female, but one was wearing a light-coloured tracksuit and had shoulder-length brown or mousey hair.

Video footage

The second had a short, black, shiny anorak and a black hat.

Police have been examining hundreds of hours of video footage from CCTV cameras in Baglan and Port Talbot.

The tapes cover the 11-day period from the first attack on Mr Whitton's home to the second arson attack which killed his mother.

Mr Whitton has been interviewed a number of times by detectives, who have confirmed they are dealing with a murder inquiry.

Officers have revealed they think Mr Whitton may have made a number of enemies in the area in recent weeks.

Detective Superintendent Kevin O'Neill: 'Extreme thing to do'

They say that a "trigger event" may have happened in Baglan on 7 June, when he had an argument with someone.

Officers are keen to speak to anyone who saw him that night.

The fire at his house was started the following Thursday, and the second two weeks later.

Detective Superintendent Kevin O'Neill, who is headling the murder investigation, said they were satisfied it was a grudge attack against Mr Whitton.

Exocet

"Its a pretty extreme thing to do, set fire to one property and then another, almost killing Mr Whitton, and sadly killing his mother," he said.

Mr Whitton was credited with saving the HMS Glamorgan during the Falklands conflict 20 years ago.

The ship - which had more than 300 people on board - was the only Royal Navy vessel to survive an Exocet missile strike during the conflict.

It was listing heavily and close to capsizing after the strike left the lower decks flooded - but Mr Whitton swam in the dark through 5ft of water and managed to unscrew tubes that allowed water to drain.

But, despite his heroic efforts, the ship's captain was never informed, and he had no official recognition of his bravery.

The story came light earlier this year when a book on the war was published.

Mr Whitton - who could not work due to post-traumatic stress disorder and disturbing flashbacks - said he was disappointed that the Ministry of Defence did not believe in awarding retrospective honours.

Anyone with information should call the incident room at Port Talbot Police Station on 01639 889127 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.