Wales House Fire: Woman Charged With Murder

A woman has been charged with murder after four members of the same family died in a house fire in North Wales.

Melanie Jane Smith, 42, has been charged with four counts of murder, one count of arson with intent to endanger life and threats to commit criminal damage, following the fire at Maes y Groes in Prestatyn.

She will appear at Prestatyn Magistrates Court on Tuesday, police said.

Lee-Anna Shiers, 20, her nephew Bailey Allen, four, and niece Skye Allen, two, died in the blaze on October 19.

Firefighters managed to rescue Ms Shiers' 15-month-old son Charlie Timbrell from their first floor flat, but the infant died two days later in hospital.

Karen Dixon, District Crown Prosecutor in Wales, said: "The Crown Prosecution Service has been working with North Wales Police as their investigation into the circumstances surrounding this tragic fire has developed.

"Our role at this stage is to review the evidence gathered so far by North Wales Police and issue advice in respect of criminal charges.

"I can confirm that, having carried out a detailed evidential review, our conclusion is that there is sufficient evidence to charge Melanie Jane Smith with four counts of murder, one count of arson with intent to endanger life and one count of threats to cause criminal damage.

"We have also concluded that it is in the public interest to charge the defendant with these offences."

Ms Shiers' partner Liam Timbrell, 23, was also rescued from the fire and remains in a serious condition in hospital.