A night worker was today recovering from shock after he came home to find a blaze sweeping through his home.

He first noticed something was wrong after returning from work this morning and made a cup of tea at his home in Leigh Road, Canvey.

The electricity cut out and the man, in his mid 50s, went to check what was wrong.

He heard a crackling sound coming from the garage, which was attached to the house, and opened the door to find the building was on fire.

He got his wife out of bed and the couple contacted the fire brigade and got out of the house. The couple were unhurt and did not need medical treatment.

Published Thursday, March 7, 2002