CRICKETING legend Trevor Bailey has died in a flat fire this morning.

AN elderly woman, believed to be his wife, was rescued from the blaze in Crowstone Road, Westcliff, but nothing could be done to save her husband, a former England captain who played for Essex County Cricket Club for more than 20 years.

Firefighters were called to the fire at about 6.15am.

Three crews tackled the blaze at the retirement complex and searched the heavily smoke-logged building.

Divisional Officer Bob Wahl, incident commander, said crews did a “fantastic” job in finding the elderly lady who was asleep with her bedroom door shut, something which probably saved her from the smoke.

Tragically, her husband was found in the kitchen and could not be saved.

A fire investigation officer will be sent to the scene to establish the cause of the incident.