A fire boss today spoke for the first time about the loss of Courtney Bristow, who died in a blaze.

Station officer Graham Sellears was in charge on the night the five-year-old died at Silverwoods, Thorrington.

He praised the actions of firefighters from Wivenhoe and Brightlingsea.

"This type of incident is a firefighter's worst nightmare," he said.

"To have somebody lose their life in a fire is bad enough, but when this involves such a young child, it makes coming to terms with it even more difficult.

"The images will be etched indelibly into the minds of all who attended forever.

"It is difficult to comprehend what Courtney's family must be going through, and our thoughts go out to them."

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Published Tuesday, November 29, 2005

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