Woman remanded on house fire deaths

A woman has appeared in court charged with four counts of murder after a house fire in North Wales killed four members of the same family.

Lee-Anna Shiers, 20, her 15-month-old son Charlie, and her four-year-old nephew Bailey and two-year-old niece Skye died in the blaze in Maes y Groes in Prestatyn on Friday, October 19.

Firefighters rescued Charlie and his father Liam Timbrell, 23, from their first floor flat but the youngster died the following Sunday afternoon while Mr Timbrell remains in a serious condition in hospital.

Melanie Jane Smith, 42, is charged with four counts of murder, one count of arson with intent to endanger life and threats to commit criminal damage, following the fire.

Smith, who lived in the flat below the victims, spoke only to confirm her name and that she understood the proceedings when she appeared by videolink at Mold Crown Court.

The defendant was remanded in custody by Judge Merfyn Hughes until January 7 when she is expected to enter her plea at Caernarfon Crown Court.