Horrified neighbours have told how they watched as smoke from a flat fire billowed up through their floorboards.

Two homes were badly damaged after the bed blaze at the ground-floor flat in Rochford Road, Southend.

Firefighters from Southend and Leigh were called after dozens of people reported seeing smoke pouring from the flat.

Burned out : the scene of devastation at the flat in Rochford Road Picture: MARTYN HODDER

Around 15 firefighters wearing breathing apparatus broke into the empty flat to reach the fire, which had completely gutted a bedroom.

An elderly man was evacuated from his home next door after smoke spread to his flat.

Terry Warren, who lives in the block, returned home to find smoke coming up through the floorboards into his father's bedroom where the 91-year-old lay asleep.

Mr Warren said: "I went into dad's bedroom and he was lying there fast asleep but I could see smoke coming up through the floorboards of his room.

"I looked out of the window and saw flames coming out of the downstairs flat."

Denise Finch, 38, who lives above the flat, said "I feel traumatised by what has happened.

"I came home to find all these fire engines around the flats and there was thick black smoke coming out of the front door of the flat below mine."

Published Friday, April 11, 2003

Brought to you by the Evening Echo