THIS Pontypool woman's home was left a charred wreck after fire crews were delayed coming to her rescue because of the alleged theft of a fire engine.

For Lyn Jones, 59, the fire came at the end of a traumatic year, blighted by post-traumatic stress disorder since her husband Mike died of leukaemia, last July.

She said it came as a further blow to discover her nearest fire crew from New Inn were unable to attend the 999 call about her fire, after their vehicle was allegedly stolen and crashed into a car and a wall.

Instead, crews from Malpas and Cwmbran were called and managed to get to the scene within ten minutes of the alert.

But by then, Mrs Jones' garage was already destroyed beyond repair and much of the Grade II listed house, which she had recently spent thousands of pounds getting redecorated, was severely smoke-damaged.

Mrs Jones said: "The emergency services were brilliant, but a few minutes can make a big difference, especially in an old house.

"I'm lucky to be alive really. The firefighters said even if the fire didn't get me, the smoke would have done before long."

Mrs Jones was asleep in bed at her house at Vicars Cottages, Pontypool, on August 16, when the fire broke out.

She said: "I was woken around 1.45am by what sounded like fireworks."

But assuming her neighbours were having a party, she went back to sleep.

A short while later, she woke again, looked towards her garage and saw it was on fire.

She immediately phoned 999 but was told a neighbour had already alerted the emergency services.

Police officers arrived and made sure she was out of the house and firefighters arrived shortly afterwards - as the flames were already licking the side of the house.

The blaze started in Mrs Jones' utility room.

The cause is not yet confirmed, but the fire may have been started after water leaked through the roof onto electrical equipment, causing it to spark.

Mrs Jones could only watch in horror and be grateful her two St Bernard puppies were rescued from the fire - although one suffered slight burns and the other was left traumatised.

Her home might not be restored to normal until mid-October and she is living in B&B accommodation or with relatives for the moment.