SHE was a bundle of energy who loved flowers and animals and died with the pet cat she adored.

Those were the words of the grief stricken grandmother of three-year-old Amelia Brown, the child who lost her life in a devastating house fire at Broadwoodwidger last Friday.

Amelia was in a first floor bedroom of the family home in Grinacombe Moor when fire broke out in the kitchen downstairs around 8pm. The speed and intensity of the blaze which destroyed the property was such that firefighters were unable to rescue the youngster.

Amelia was being cared for by her grandparents, David and Stephanie Brown, both in their 60s, who lived next door, while her mother Abigail was helping at a pre-school bingo fundraiser in Lifton.

Stephanie Brown said Amelia was Abigail's whole life and it was very rare she went out without her.

'Amelia was everything to Abigail,' she said. 'We all doted on her — she was a non-stop bundle of energy, very curious and always asking questions, very eager to learn but she also loved dressing up and dancing and singing.

'She loved flowers and animals and died with her pet cat who she had only had for a month but she really loved him.'

Mrs Brown said when her husband, who suffers from emphysema, became aware of crackles and fire coming from the kitchen on Friday, the fire brigade was called immediately and attempts made to rescue the little girl from the upstairs room but the blaze took hold so quickly.

Neighbour Steve Hewitt smashed the window to Amelia's room but the heat and fire were so intense he was unable to rescue her.

'Everyone did what they could but it all happened so quickly. We have been told that anyone who suffers smoke inhalation is not aware of it — it is very quick and very gentle and we take some small comfort in the fact that Amelia will not have suffered.'

Mrs Brown said they may never know how the fire started: 'There were no naked flames or electrical appliances left on. We did not have smoke detectors but neither do many old cottages.'

She said the community, which the family had been part of for generations, had been so kind and had given them a tremendous amount of support.

'It is very hard for Abigail to see anyone at the moment but when I go out and I see anybody they hug me and cry with me. They are grieving with us because they all loved Amelia. They have had collections, given us clothes and food. Everyone has been wonderful.'

She added that many of the family photos and those of Amelia had been destroyed in the fire but they would never lose the memories.

'We will never forget the beautiful, bright little girl who never stopped telling us she loved us.'

Member of the local clergy Father Tom Curry said there had been a 'groundswell of compassion' for Amelia's family and a special service was held at St Nicholas Church in Broadwoodwidger on Sunday where the Brown family were members.

Fire crews were on the scene within 12 minutes of the call on Friday evening but were faced with a fully developed fire on the ground and first floor levels of the property.

They called for assistance from Okehampton and Hatherleigh fire stations and support units from Plympton and Plymouth.

The police and fire service are continuing their investigations into the fire, described by Detective Sergeant Barry Mitchell as the worst he had been to in his career.

Fire officers are stressing the importance of smoke alarms following the tragedy.

The fire's investigating officer George Setter said: 'Our thoughts are with the family of Amelia at this time and to members of the community who have also been affected by this tragic loss.

'We would, however, remind people that an undetected fire can spread quickly through a building and working smoke detectors will give an early warning of a fire, saving valuable seconds in which to evacuate a property.'