TWO men told how they feared for their lives as they tried to escape from the loft of a burning building.

Steve Wootton<OK>, 19, and Phaisan Dinnes<OK>, 23, both from Pitsea, were trapped in the roof of a special needs housing scheme as the building burned beneath them.

The men and a third workman were removing asbestos wearing protective clothing and special breathing masks, when their power tools suddenly cut out and the loft began filling with smoke.

They scrambled to the loft hatch before realising their only exit was blocked by flames.

Mr Dinnes, of St Mary's Crescent, said: "We were trying to run but we couldn't breathe or see, I don't know how I found my way to the hatch.

"I looked down and didn't think twice - I jumped down into the flames. My suit was burning."

Meanwhile Mr Wootton and a 57-year-old workmate forced their way out by punching through and knocking aside roof slates.

Mr Wootton, of Luncies Road, said: "It was terrifying. I really thought I was dead."

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