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

Marta Bednarczyk, 43, was a mother of three and was engaged to her long-term partner

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 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 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 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.