A BRAVE neighbour suffered burns to his legs when he rushed outside in his slippers to tackle a fire which engulfed multiple garages and garden sheds.

Residents have told of how their shock turned to fear as emergency services evacuated dozens of houses in Wivenhoe.

Officers reacted quickly to set up a 200-metre cordon around the fire, in Heath Road, when they discovered the blaze had engulfed a garage containing flammable gas.

One neighbour raced to tackle the flames in his slippers when it quickly spread through his garden.

“I was sat here watching TV when I thought ‘I can smell smoke’, he said. “I tried to put it out. I couldn’t do it, I got through three fire extinguishers and it didn’t go out. I suffered burns on my legs, I could feel it crackling on my skin.”

Other neighbours reported hearing explosions “like fireworks going off” as the flames spread.

William and Gillian Gibby, who have lived in Heath Road for 32 years, said: “We were sitting in the garden when we noticed the first of the smoke - it smelled like burning paper.

“All of a sudden, within about ten minutes, there were flames about 10ft tall rising above from next door.

“The road was full of smoke and we heard bangs like fireworks going off.

“We were then asked to leave and wait up the road.

“The police were here and they were brilliant, giving out water to everyone who was waiting.”

David and Maureen Copeland, who have lived in the nearby Broome Grove for 40 years, arrived as the fire took hold just behind their garden.

Mr Copeland said: “As we got nearer to our house it looked like it was on fire. There was a lot of smoke.

“We put the car on the drive and ran up to the bedroom window where we could see huge flames. We were worried about the house. The police had everyone out and up towards the school.

“We were allowed home at around 9.30pm. We knew the fire service had it under control. They were amazing. They sat up on our garage to tackle the fire and smashed through our fence to get to the flames on the other side.”

“We were all safe.

“The people in the horrible fire in London were not - it is all about perspective.”

An Essex Fire Service spokesman said the cause of the fire had been recorded as accidental and there were no suspicious circumstances. Four fire engines and a water bowser were called to the blaze, which took hold on Friday at around 3pm. Properties were evacuated as a 200-metre cordon was put in place by firefighters. The fire, which also affected some trees, was put out at 6.30pm.