A hero risked his life climbing into a blazing flat as flames wrecked a bedroom

Aftermath - the blackened balcony doors of the flat today. Picture: ROB SAMBROOK

Allan Froggatt was in a pub near the fire, in Maria Court in the Hythe area of Colchester, as flames from a candle took hold in one of the two bedrooms

He asked people to hoist him up to an open first floor window, clambered inside, then checked the smoke-filled flat before getting out.

Mr Froggatt, 35, said: "A window was open and we were shouting into it but weren't getting a response, so I got a couple of blokes to lift me up.

"I didn't really think about it at the time. I know it was a bit of a silly action. It was just the thought there could have been somebody in there asleep."

Three students had been inside when the blaze was started by a candle, but fled as the flames took hold.

Two fire engines from Colchester fire station were called out at about 11.15pm last night.

Published Tuesday August 24, 2004

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