Woman found dead after fire was 'quiet' and 'good'

Marta Bednarczyk with short brown hair and brown glasses, looking at the camera and wearing a blue top. She is in front of a white building.Image source, Northamptonshire Police
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Marta Bednarczyk, 43, was a mother of three and was engaged to her long-term partner

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People living in a town where a woman's body was found after a house fire say they were shocked by her death.

A 13-year-old girl has appeared in court charged with murder and arson following the death of Marta Bednarczyk a mother of three, in Wellingborough, Northamptonshire.

Investigations continue at the house in Newcomen Road where Ms Bednarczyk, 43, was pronounced dead on Monday.

The owner of a local shop described her as a "quiet, good woman".

Florentine Apetrel with long light brown hair and large tinted glasses, smiling at the camera. She is wearing a large black raincoat and a blue shirt with a blue lanyard. She is standing next to a shop.Image source, Kate Bradbrook/BBC
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Florentine Apetrel was shocked when a murder investigation began close to her home

Part of Newcomen Road, made up of terraced homes and yards from a supermarket, remained behind police tape on Wednesday.

People living nearby watched events unfold with disbelief.

Florentine Apetrel said: "I was coming from work and I saw all these roads stopped.

"I saw the people who wear those white things on top of them, and that was shocking."

Florin Munteanu wearing a black hooded jacket. He has short dark hair and a slight beard. He is standing next to a building with a white painted front and brick sides. There is a wheelie bin to his left.Image source, Kate Bradbrook/BBC
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Florin Munteanu said he hoped the family would be able to "get over these events"

Local man Peter Marandici said: "As a community, I don't know how they are feeling - it's a sad day for the community".

Florin Munteanu's thoughts were with the dead woman's relatives: "When things like this happen 200 metres away, it's something. There's not a lot to say after everything, it's just I'm hoping the family will be able to get over these events".

Shahrim Ali with short dark hair and medium-length beard, wearing a dark top and blue gilet, standing in front of a shop window which has illustrations of various products.Image source, Kate Bradbrook/BBC
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Shahrim Ali owns the Bucharest Express, which is very close to the police cordon

Shahrim Ali, a shopkeeper, said Ms Bednarczyk - who was engaged to her long-term partner - was a regular customer.

"She came very often, she was in about a week ago," he recalled.

"She was a quiet, good woman, very quiet. I've seen her quite often but we're not going to see her any more. Very sad."

The 13-year-old girl who has been charged with murder and arson with intent to endanger life appeared at Northampton Magistrates' Court on Wednesday morning clutching a teddy bear.

She was remanded in custody until her next court appearance on 11 April.

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