A man left a pan boiling while he popped out to the supermarket - and returned to find a blaze had ripped through his kitchen.
Neighbours called firefighters after spotting smoke at about 4.30pm yesterday at a bungalow in Chinook, on Colchester's High Woods estate.
The Lithuanian occupants of the property stayed overnight with friends as the fire cut off their electricity supply.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereComments are closed on this article