An 84-year-old man died despite desperate attempts to save him after smoke filled his mobile home.

Scene - the mobile home after the fire. Picture: STEVE BRADING

John Jones, of Meadow View Park, Little Clacton, was rescued by firefighters but efforts to revive him failed.

The pensioner, described by neighbours as "lovely" and a gifted artist, was sleeping in his mobile home when nearby residents noticed smoke coming from the windows at 6.20am on Saturday.

Firefighters from Clacton said they believed Mr Jones would have survived the small blaze, but he did not have a smoke alarm installed.

They have now launched a campaign urging other mobile home owners on the park to fit alarms.

Katherine Bishop, who lives close by, said she was in bed at 6am when she heard a loud bang. At first she thought it was a dustbin falling over.

She said: "There was a really strong smell of smoke and I noticed it was coming from John's place.

"It was smoking really bad.

"I shouted at the house and hammered at the door, but there was no answer."

The cause of the blaze is being investigated.

Published Monday September 13, 2004

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