Fatal fire cause still unknown

Ella had been upstairs in the house

A man killed in a house fire had tried to rescue his stepdaughter from their west Wales home, it has emerged.

Residents in Derwydd Avenue, Gwaen-Cae-Gurwen, have been laying floral tributes at the house where Granville Philip Nolan, 37, tried to save 11-year-old Ella Louise.

Both were recovered dead by firefighters, despite earlier attempts by neighbours to save them.

Ella's pregnant mother Jane managed to escape from the semi-detached council house in Derwydd Avenue.

It is understood that Mr Nolan and Ella were found dead in the bathroom of the house - the only room in the house where escape through a window was not possible.

Neighbours said he had gone back into the blazing house to try and reach the girl.

The fire - which is believed to have started on the ground floor and swept upstairs - is not thought to be suspicious, and inquiries are continuing.

Neighbours' rescue attempts failed

Detective Inspector Paul Stephens said early inquiries had indicated that the fire looked like "a tragic accident".

Three fire engines were called to the blaze after it was reported at 1140 BST on Sunday.

It was three hours before fire officers decided it was safe to enter the house.

Mr Nolan and his wife married just last September. He also had a daughter, Elana, aged three, by a previous relationship.

Both girls had been staying with their grandparents on Saturday, but Ella had decided to return home early the next day.

Fire was 'intense'

When firefighters arrived on the scene they were confronted with an "inferno", according to divisional officer John Wilson of Mid and West Wales Fire Service.

"It was intense," he said.

"On arrival the building was well alight."

It took more than two hours to put out the flames and firefighters were forced to gain entry into the house through the roof.

Det Insp Paul Stephens of South Wales Police said: "Unfortunately two bodies have been discovered inside.

"Forensic scientists are there along with scenes of crime officers."

He added that the investigation was in its early stages and it was too early to speculate on what caused the fire.

However, it is understood the fire is not being treated as suspicious.

Philip Nolan tried to rescue his stepdaughter

Mr Stephens said: "The house was very badly damaged and I've spoken to witnesses who said that the fire spread very quickly.

"I know a chap living two doors down made valiant efforts to rescue people but he was not able to get into the house."

House-to-house inquiries have begun and Mr Stephen said that potential witnesses had already come forward.

Fire officers were still at the scene at 1700 BST and the street, Derwydd Avenue, remained cordoned off by police.

The estate is home to many young families and a crowd of more than 100 witnessed the fire while immediate neighbours were evacuated from their homes.

Amman Valley Councillor Kevin Madge, who lives in nearby Garnant, said the deaths had shocked the close, valley community.

"I understand that some neighbours did try to help the people inside but it was just not possible," he said.

"It has been described as an inferno.

"It is a terrible tragedy when something like this happens and my thoughts are with the relatives of those who lost their loved-ones."