Brave Colin Abrahams is recovering from shock and smoke inhalation after attempting to battle a possible arson attack on his home.
Mr Abrahams, 54, of Hazelmere Road, Benfleet, woke up to see a wall of flames outside his two-bedroom bungalow and heard his smoke alarm going off.
Blaze - a van stands wrecked in the bungalow's driveway Picture: ROB BROWNE
The intrepid dad ran outside to find his van was on fire and flames were spreading to the front of his home.
He braved the heat to try and put out the fire with a garden hose but it was a losing battle.
He said: "Our front door is made of glass and our bedroom is just opposite the door so I could see this wall of flames outside as soon as I woke up.
"I ran outside and tried to put the fire out while my wife phoned the fire brigade.
"It was very hot. There was a lot of smoke but mostly it was just these huge flames, although I did end up breathing in some of the smoke."
Mr Abrahams, who was treated at hospital, added: "The firefighters went into the loft to check the fire had not spread there."
Published Friday, May 30, 2003
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