The county councillor for Llanwrtyd Wells, retired colonel Tim Van-Rees, has commented on the horrific house fire which broke out in Llangammarch Wells in the early hours of this morning (Monday, October 30).
Three children aged 10, 12 and 13, managed to escape the blaze and are currently being treated in hospital.
The police and fire and rescue service said earlier today that there were still some people unaccounted for. They also confirmed that some others had died.
Colonel Van-Rees said: "It’s a devastating tragedy, not only for the three children in hospital but also for their relations such as their friends and family.
"The thoughts of the community are with them and they are in our prayers. It’s dreadfully devastating by any stretch of the imagination.
"As a member of the Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue Authority, the local fire commander told me that the local brigades were absolutely outstanding. They did everything they could have possibly done to save lives.
"There were brigades from Llanwrtyd, Builth, Brecon and Llandrindod. The first on the scene was the crew from Llanwrtyd - the fire commander said they did an excellent job through the night and the morning. He said all the crews did a superb job in endeavouring to rescue the children. "