MOURNERS paid tribute to the “generous and kind-hearted” Cwmbran blaze victim Samantha Thomas at her funeral yesterday.

White roses were laid on her coffin as family, friends and members of the community in both Pontnewynydd and Cwmbran gathered to pay their respects at Gwent Crematorium.

29-year-old Miss Thomas tragically died during a fire at a first-floor flat in Shakespeare Road, Cwmbran, on May 19. Her partner, Paul Fields, also died less than a month after the tragedy.

At the service yesterday, Miss Thomas was described as a “wonderful friend and good neighbour whose tragic death has left a huge gap in the family and the community”.

Leading the service, Rev. Bev Morgan said: “She will be remembered by all as a very generous woman, a kind hearted young lady with a sunny nature and bubbly personality which infected everyone with the same love.

“Despite efforts to save Sam, God has taken her to his kingdom. For us there is a gap in our lives. She loved people, she loved animals, she loved life. The challenge today is to continue together in that way.”

Samantha Thomas was born in Panteg and aged four she moved with her family to Canterbury in Kent where she enjoyed sporting activities and the outdoors.

She and her family came back to live in Pontypool and Miss Thomas then moved to Cwmbran four years ago.

Her coffin was brought in to the sound of Every Breath You Take by the Police, Miss Thomas’ favourite music group. Hymn Amazing Grace was also sung.

Rev Morgan said Miss Thomas was a fan of singers Adele and Cliff Richard as well as soaps Eastenders and Coronation Street.

The animal-lover drew comfort from her two dogs and volunteered to work with animals at vets and charities throughout her life.

Rev Morgan said: “She had that heart, a heart of gold.”

As they were leaving, people made donations to the emergency services and Cwmbran animal sanctuary All Creatures Great and Small.