As many as six members of the same family are feared dead after an horrific fire swept through their farmhouse in Llangammarch Wells in the early hours.

Locals said a father lives with his eight children in the remote property which was burned to the ground.

Police confirmed three children, aged 13, 12 and 10, were able to escape when the house caught fire. The children who survived have been taken to hospital with injuries that are not thought to be life-threatening.

However a police spokesman said there were numerous fatalities at the house although the exact number is not known.

Locals fear the father and five of his children may have perished in the blaze.

The father has been named locally as David Cuthbertson, who is in his sixties.

Emergency services were called to the farm near the village of Llangammarch Wells shortly after midnight.

Chief Inspector Martin Slevin said: "There are a number of people unaccounted for at this time and we can confirm that there are known to be fatalities.

"Due to the severity of damage at the scene we are unable at this stage to identify any of the deceased or confirm numbers.

"Specialist scientists and fire investigators are still assessing the scene prior to further investigation."

It is believed the family were asleep when the fire started during the school half-term break.

Chief Inspector Slavin said: "Upon arrival the house was ablaze and three children aged 13, 12 and 10 years were able to escape.

"They are being treated in hospital but do not have life threatening injuries.

"At this time we are treating the cause of the fire as unexplained."

Locals said the family had lived in the farmhouse called Pointyn Farm for several years.

One neighbour said: "All I know is they had lots of kids and seemed like a big happy family.

"It is possible that one or two weren’t there because of the school holidays.

"But if all eight children were at home it’s too dreadful to think about."

Another neighbour at a nearby caravan holiday park said: "I woke up at about 2am to get a glass of water and I could see the place was floodlit by police and emergency services.

"There were helicopters there a bit later. We’ve heard a number of people died."

Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service said the blaze was "well developed" when firefighters arrived at the scene.

The Welsh Ambulance Service sent its Hazardous Area Response Team as well as four crews in emergency ambulances.

The Brecon Mountain Rescue team was also sent to the blaze because it was in such a remote location.

Community councillor Jon Hather said: "It’s a dreadful shock for this small community and our thoughts go out to the family."Brecon and Radnorshire MP Chris Davies wrote on his Facebook page: "My thoughts are with those affected by the reported fire in Llangammarch. "I wish the emergency services well in dealing with this terrible situation."Local AM Kirsty Williams said: "This is devastating news in such a close-knit community."I'd like to express my deepest sympathies to those affected and thank the emergency services for their assistance."