Inquests open into backpacker deaths

The two women died at the Palace backpackers hostel

An inquest has heard how two young Welsh women who died in the Australian backpackers hostel fire were killed by inhaling smoke.

The bodies of Sarah Williams, 23, and Natalie Morris, 28, have been returned to Britain five weeks after the fire engulfed the Palace Backpackers Hostel in Childers.

Ms Williams, from Aberfan, and Ms Morris, from the nearby village Cefn Coed, were among 15 people who died in the blaze.

Flown home: Natalie Morris

Mid Glamorgan coroner Philip Walters heard a pathologist's report from Australia showing both young woman died as a result of smoke inhalation.

He opened their inquests but warned it may be many months before the full facts were known.

He said: "Proceedings are continuing in Australia and because there are a number of other Britons involved, the Home Office may decide to hold just one inquest covering all those."

The inquest at Merthyr Tydfil heard police are "actively" investigating the cause of the blaze.

Mr Walters released the two bodies for the funeral service.

Blaze victim: Sarah Williams

After the inquest, Natalie's father Ken Morris said: "The man responsible for this should rot in hell."

The pair and best friend Kelly Symonds, 23, set off together last July to live out their dreams of travelling around the world.

Ms Symonds was rescued from the blaze by a fellow British traveller but her two friends could not be reached in the inferno.

Ms Williams's funeral will take place on Thursday at St Mary's Church in Merthyr Vale.

Ms Morris's funeral will be held in St John's Church in Cefn Coed on Saturday.

Drifter Robert Paul Long, 37, has been charged with attempted murder of a police officer while he was being arrested for questioning in connection with the fire. He is due in court again on 17 August.