A TALENTED scientist was crushed to death in a fireball explosion at her laboratory, an inquest heard.
Danielle Evans, 40, lay dead in rubble for 24 hours after the inferno erupted at Treforest industrial estate in Wales earlier this month.
3
Danielle was killed in the explosion Credit: WNS 3
The fire ripped through the industrial estate Credit: WNS
The fire tore through 13 commercial units - including a gym, towel manufacturer and telecoms service company.
Microbiologist Danielle worked for Celtic Food Laboratories, which specialises in the microbial testing of food.
Her provisional cause of death was revealed as traumatic asphyxia at an inquest today.
The hearing was told the police investigation into the blast is ongoing.
Read more news HORROR BLAST House collapses after huge explosion as homes evacuated & 1 rushed to hospital
DEADLY INFERNO Heartbreaking tributes to 'beautiful soul', 40, killed in horror explosion
Senior Coroner Graeme Hughes adjourned the inquest pending the results of the probe.
The horror unfolded on December 13 causing a major incident to be declared.
Searches were carried out after one person was unaccounted for - leading officers to discover Danielle's body.
She is believed to have been finishing work at the family-run business when she was caught up in the explosion.
Most read in The Sun
twister terror 'Tornado' destroys 100 homes in major incident with more travel chaos today
SHAKEN & STIRRED? Pierce Brosnan could face jail time for trespassing in national park
SMASH 'MURDER' Man killed after car ploughs into huge crowd following 'row at party'
ant they're off! Ant McPartlin jets off with wife Anne-Marie, 45, after I’m A Celeb
Her devastated family said: "Dan was a whirlwind of a woman. She leaves a gaping hole in her family and friends’ hearts, which will never be replaced. She was an intelligent, caring and beautiful soul.
"She started her own successful laboratory business - Celtic Food Labs. Poured her heart and soul into it, but the most important things to her were her husband, family, dogs and friends!
"She was a fiercely loyal and loving wife. The best friend anyone could hope for. She met strangers and friends with the same positive, infectious and loving energy.
"She pulled you into her orbit like nobody you will ever meet or will again. A magnet that pulled us all together."
3
A plume of smoke explodes into the sky following the explosion Credit: WNS