BLAENAU Ffestiniog residents are in a state of shock following the death of a woman in a house fire.

The police and fire service have confirmed an investigation is currently underway after the body of an elderly lady was found following a fire at a house in Benar View on Monday evening.

While authorities have not named the victim, she is believed to be local resident Olive Tuffrey.

The sad death has left the town and its residents shocked, and local councillor Annwen Daniels said that the thoughts of the town were with the family.

Cllr Daniels said: “It’s such a shock. I can’t get over it.

"I was a postwoman for 20 years so you get to know people in your community.

"I feel so sorry for the family. Everybody is in shock. When something like this happens overnight and so quickly it’s a huge shock. It’s such a sad loss of life.

"Blaenau is such a good community and everyone will rally around to support the family as they always do.

"It’s such a close-knit community. I think we’re all in shock. It’s unbelievable when this sort of loss of life happens. We’re all in shock in the town and will rally together in times like this. Our thoughts are with the family.”

Fire crews from Blaenau Ffestiniog and Porthmadog were called to the blaze just after 8.30pm and spent almost three hours at the scene fighting the fire.

A spokesperson for the fire brigade said: “An investigation is underway following a fatal house fire in Blaenau Ffestiniog. Shortly after 8.30pm, North Wales Fire and Rescue Service was notified of a house on fire in Benar View.

“Firefighters from Blaenau Ffestiniog and Porthmadog used breathing apparatus and a hose reel jet to enter the building, but sadly found an elderly woman who had died.

“A joint investigation between the North Wales Fire and Rescue Service and North Wales Police is now underway to establish the cause of the fire.”

Inspector Gethin Jones, of Porthmadog Police Station, said authorities were at the scene throughout Tuesday to investigate the cause of the fire and asked any witnesses who may have been in the area to contact the police.