'Devoted' couple killed in mysterious fire that ripped through home as heartbroken family pay tribute

A COUPLE devoted to each other for 35 years died together in a mysterious house fire as their heartbroken family paid a moving tribute.

David Edwards, 60, and wife Margaret, 55, were tragically killed in the horror fire that tore through their bungalow, an inquest heard today.

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Emergency services were called to the scene in St Dogmaels, Pembrokeshire, as flames ripped through the property.

The hearing was told that David was his main carer. Margaret had mobility problems and slept downstairs in a medical bed.

But the inquest found an investigator could not be sure what started the mysterious fire in December 2022.

The couple's heartbroken families have now paid tribute to the tragic couple who were “well known and respected” in the community.

In a statement, the families said: “We are devastated by our loss of Margaret and David Edwards, who were devoted to each other, had been together for 35 years and were well-known and respected members of the St Dogmaels community.

“We would like to thank everyone for their support at this horrific time, it has meant so much to both families.

Coroner officer PC James Lang-Ford said the flames came through the roof Police had to force the front door open.

Mrs Edwards was found in an armchair and was pronounced dead shortly after 1.30am after failed resuscitation attempts.

Her husband's body was recovered from a downstairs room a few hours later. It is believed the bed containing Mr Edwards fell from the first floor when it collapsed.

A post-mortem examination revealed that Mr Edwards died as a result of burns, while his wife died as a result of carbon monoxide poisoning.

A fire investigation report, read by fire scene investigator Stephen Christopher Rowlands, said it was a “very, very cold evening” and the detained crew responded “slower than normal” due to the conditions.

The crew managed to reach the first floor but had to retreat due to the intensity of the fire shortly before the floor collapsed.

Mr Rowlands explained that a fingertip search had been carried out and a number of items had been examined, including cable reels, her hair straighteners, and the gas delivery.

There was no evidence of it smoking as the cause and Mr Rowlands concluded it was likely the fire had started in the downstairs bedroom, but “could not say with 100 per cent certainty what had started the fire”.

Assistant coroner Gareth Lewis told the inquest in Haverfordwest that the carbon monoxide level in Mrs Edwards' blood was 90.1; anything over 50 is normally fatal.

He concluded that both Mr and Mrs Edwards died as a result of an accident in their home.