Disabled man thanks neighbours for coming to his aid following arson attack

Three fire crews from Clacton and Weeley were called to a bungalow in Holbrook Close, Clacton, at about 6.45pm on Monday.

The fire was started outside and spread to the council-owned property.

It is understood that the woman who lives in the property was staying with friends at the time.

The blaze was at risk of spreading to Ian Worboys' neighbouring property.

Mr Worboys, 45, who is disabled, said: "The fire started in a pile of rubbish outside the front of the house next door.

"A neighbour knocked on my door and helped me out.

"Luckily, I park my car right next to the door, so I got in and moved it down the road.

"The fire brigade got here very quickly.

"I only moved in one year ago and I've spent a lot of money making the place nice, so I was a little distraught.

"It has suffered smoke damage, but the most important thing is that no one was hurt and the neighbours got me out.

"We are quite a close-knit community here and everyone pulled together.

"I'm just grateful to the fire brigade for getting here so quickly."

Neighbours reported seeing 20ft flames outside the front of the property where the fire started, which had only recently been refurbished following another fire.

One said: "Rubbish has built up outside the property and cars have even been dumped there - a number of us had reported it to the council.

"We banged on Ian's door and he managed to get out and got his car out.

"The house next to his went up so fast - it was unbelievable.

"Ian is disabled, so it's lucky this didn't happen at 2am when he was in bed. It could have been much worse."

On arrival firefighters reported that the bungalow was 70 per cent alight.

Sub Officer Kieran Warner, from Clacton Fire Station, said: "The fire had started outside, a couple of metres from the front door, after tyres and a chair had caught alight.

"It then spread rapidly to the porch roof and then the main roof and building.

"We worked to stop the fire spreading inside the building and had extinguished it by 8pm.

"Unfortunately, the bungalow still suffered smoke and fire damage and is now uninhabitable."

The cause of the fire has been recorded as deliberate.

Tendring Council said inspections have been carried out at two council owned bungalows following the blaze.

It added that Mr Worboys was housed in bed and breakfast by the council on Monday night and decided to go back home this morning.

It was the second blaze at number 21 in the past 18 months and the bungalow had been refurbished around a year ago.

Paul Honeywood, Tendring Council’s cabinet member for housing, said the council would be working with both tenants to ensure their needs are met.

“Number 21 has been extensively damaged and has had to be boarded up and made secure and weather tight by Council staff,” he said.

“The roof will need to be replaced along with the ceilings throughout as well as the kitchen - and it is expected to cost more than £30,000.

“Officers have also inspected number 19 where the man has returned home and it will need some repairs and redecoration in due course."