NEIGHBOURS of a family who died in a fire at their Cwmbran home last year today relived the horror they witnessed that night to a jury.

The trial of Carl Mills, 28, who denies setting fire to a house in Tillsland, Coed Eva in September 2012, heard this morning from next-door neighbours how 46-year-old Kim Buckley screamed that she was burning in the blaze.

Mrs Buckley, her 17-year-old daughter Kayleigh and Kayleigh's six-month-old baby Kimberley all died in the fire which took hold at around 3am.

Next-door neighbour Annie Ashley described how she ran out of her own house, after being awoken by her mother who was trying to call the fire brigade about the fire next door.

"The ceiling of the porch was on fire," Ms Ashley told Newport Crown Court.

"There were massive flames, I looked for seconds before running downstairs.

"I couldn't see anyone [next door] so I followed the path to the back gate. I was in such a panic I was just shaking the gate.

"I started shouting, then Kayleigh responded. I was shouting their names. Kayleigh eventually shouted back but Kim was quiet to begin with.

"I asked Kayleigh where the baby was and she said the baby was next to her," said Ms Ashley.

"She was literally screaming. You could see Kayleigh was there, she pushed the window as if she was trying to get out or let the smoke out because it was very smoky.

"She was near the window but I didn't see her actual face.

"She kept repeating that the house was on fire, I kept telling her to keep calm and said we had phoned 999. She was shouting for her mum and her mum responded.

"Kim began screaming saying she was burning, and kept screaming and screaming.

"It all went quiet rather quickly."

Ms Ashley said this all happened in a matter of 20 minutes.

Her sister, Jennifer Ashley, told the court she saw Mills being arrested in a nearby car park.

When asked by defence barrister Patrick Harrington if Mills had looked concerned about the fire, she replied: "He wasn't at all."

Mr Harrington asked her if she could tell whether he was in shock, to which she said "no".

She said she saw Mills being arrested in the car park near the house.

The trial continues.