Pitsea: Neighbour in fire rescue

The girl was today recovering after being rescued from the Pitsea blaze. Her 41-year-old neighbour in Crown Avenue was also taken to hospital after he burned his arms trying to rescue the youngster last night.

Lorry driver Tony Hall heard the sound of the smoke alarm as he was watching television.

He ran over to the house and was told by the anxious mother that her daughter was upstairs. Hero Tony immediately rushed inside in an attempt to rescue the girl.

He added: "Because the heat was so intense I came down, got a damp tea towel and put it over my head and went up again to try to get into the back room.

"I could hear her, but I couldn't get to her, and my skin was blistering. I was staring death in the face. I thought this was it, I was so glad when I jumped down the stairs to see the firemen on my way in.

Father-of-four Tony said: "It was just instinct to try to get Sophie out."

Two fire crews from Basildon were called to the bedroom blaze at about 9.30pm and were told by anxious neighbours that the little girl was trapped.

Two firemen who arrived shortly after also tried to make their way up the stairs without wearing breathing apparatus, but the flames proved too dangerous.

Seconds later two other firemen, who had been rigging up their breathing apparatus, climbed the stairs and were directed to the child by her screams for help as the upstairs was too full of smoke to see her.

Basildon station officer, Dick Duane, said: "At one point as she was passed down the stairs she stopped breathing. She must have thought she was going to die."

An ambulance was called to take the little girl, who was having problems breathing, to hospital. Dick Duane, said: "The neighbour was very brave to try and rescue the little girl as the fire was very severe."

Hero - Tony Hall hurt his arms trying to get to the girl

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