EXCLUSIVE

PASSERS by and neighbours acted quickly and possibly saved the life of an elderly man whose home has been destroyed by fire in a major blaze this afternoon (Saturday, 17 September).

There was huge damage to two homes off Gardner Avenue in Corringham late this afternoon and other neighbouring properties have been affected. The building are between Nottage Close and Norton Close, where the alarm was raised just after 4pm.

Fire crews rushed to the scene to tackle the blaze after being alerted but before they were able to get there, passers by and neighbours broke into the property to rescue an occupant.

John Mason, 52, from Southend Road, was one of the people involved in the dramatic moments as blaze drama unfolded.

He told Thurrock Nub News: "My wife Gemma and I were walking past the homes on our way to having a drink at the Springhouse Club,

"I looked across the road and thought I saw a bonfire, then thought 'no it it is bigger than that'. It was raging and we walked nearer to the property.

"Initially I thought it was just in the garden but then I saw it was going into the building. We rang the fire brigade.

"The fire was so intense, it was licking over the side of the fence and towards the house. It looked like the fire started by the back fence and then spread to the house.

"We heard a hiss, boom and a pop, then another. We have been told there was a lawn mower and barnbecue out the back and it was probably them going up,.

"We were at the back then went round to the front the back of the three house. There was a couple of people out the front and I don't think they realised the extent of the fire at the back.

"Gemma and I were banging on the doors shouting to see if there were people in there.

"We were told that an old man was in the middle property so we knew we had to do something. Eventually some blokes tried to kick the door down, one ws succesful, I checked the adjoing properties but didn;t seem to be anyone in there so I went In the middle house and into the lounge. The flames were licking at the windows.

"The elderly gentleman seemed very bewildered, Gemma was trying to put his slippers on but he said he didn't want to leave the house. He said he wasn't heaving so I picked him up and got him out., I had to carry him. As I looked back flames were coming out though. I don't think I have ever been so scared in my life. I have never seen flames move that quickly.

"I'm just thankful we got him out and we were able to hand him to the care of the emergency services as they arrived.

"I would just like to say that everyone involved was tremendous. Everyone played a role."

It is believed the elderly occupant of the house has since been taken to hospital for treatement to help him recover from smoke inhalation.

Crews from Corringham and Orsett and two from Basildon tckled the blaze.

A statement from Essex Fire and Rescue Service said: "On arrival, crews confirmed that an initial shed fire had affected three properties after spreading along a garden fence and through the roof space.

"Firefighters worked incredibly hard to get the fire under control as quickly as possible.

"One man suffered from smoke inhalation.

"Unfortunately, one home has been destroyed, while the adjacent properties have also been affected by smoke damage.

"We believe this fire was caused accidentally."