A WOMAN has described how she grabbed a neighbour from her burning bungalow moments before the roof collapsed.

Shirley Allen, 67, smelled smoke when she arrived home in Foxhall Close, East Bergholt, after a shopping trip and quickly realised someone was in danger.

She rushed to the aid of the woman, aged 87.

Mrs Allen said: “I thought someone had lit a bonfire and I was moaning because it was washing day. I happened to look across and saw the house.

“I ran across the grass. I think the window was open, but I couldn’t see, it was so dark inside. I was calling to her, trying to get her to the door, but when she opened it she tried to step back inside.

“By the time I had got her away from the fire the whole thing was ablaze.”

The fire, on Monday, at 1.20pm, was so fierce the bungalow was destroyed.

See Wednesday's Gazette for more.