A BRAVE man who tried to save a neighbour from his burning home says he wishes he could have done more.

Dale Coppin rushed to help 78-year-old Fred Payne, who died in his home after it had been set alight by drug addict Lisa Connelly.

The 30-year-old made three dangerous attempts to get to Mr Payne, who was asleep in the front bedroom, but was so overcome by smoke and flames he had to give up.

The actions of Mr Coppin and another neighbour, Anton Cook, have been praised by senior police officers and both have been awarded £500 from a special fund.

Restaurant worker Mr Coppin told the Gazette: “We were sitting in that night playing some music and first off we just heard a loud bang and then Lisa [Connelly] screaming at the door: ‘My house is on fire.’

“I just ran downstairs and shouted to her: ‘Is there anyone in there?’

Gazette: Lisa Connelly.

“She shouted back: ‘Yes, my grandad.”

He added: “I got down on my hands and knees and just went in.

“She told me he was is in the front room but when I got to it, I couldn’t get in.

“I got out and said: ‘Look, I need to know exactly where he is,’ and she said the same thing.

“But I just couldn’t get in.

“Anton was great, he made sure a woman from upstairs got out in case the fire spread.”

By the time Mr Coppin emerged from the blazing home, in Rochdale Way, Colchester, for the second time, fire crews had not arrived.

So he made one more attempt and used a sledge hammer to break the front bay window.

Despite flames billowing from the room the bare-footed hero, whose nose had exploded as a result of the air pressure, put on a pair of his neighbour’s trainers and attempted to climb through.

But the temperature was too much for him to take and he had to retreat.

He added: “I was in the garden and I knew he was in there and I couldn’t do anything.

Gazette: Dale Coppin, Rochdale Way, Colchester .He attempted to save Fred Payne when his home was set on fire by Lisa Connelly. ..

“When the fire engines arrived, they had him out within minutes and I just thought: ‘I wish I could’ve done that.’”

Mr Payne died in the early hours on Sunday, September 4, from smoke inhalation.

Mr Coppin’s brave actions were praised by Judge Patricia Lynch, who sentenced Connelly to 12 years in jail on Friday at Chelmsford Crown Court.

The 42-year-old admitted one count of manslaughter and one count of arson being reckless as to whether life or property was endangered.

She denied murder and arson with intent to endanger life.

Despite her claims Mr Payne was Connelly’s grandad, there is no family relationship.