Neighbours have paid tribute to a "devoted" husband and jazz fan who lost his life 17 days after an explosion in his home left him severely burned.

Peter Kirby, 71, of Mercer Road, Billericay, died in Chelmsford's Broomfield Hospital more than two weeks after he suffered horrific injuries after the boiler at his home exploded.

Mr Kirby, one of eight people to die in house fires in Essex since the turn of the year, suffered 60 per cent burns to his upper torso, arms, legs, head and neck when he opened the airing cupboard to get a towel at his home on Saturday, January 8.

Today, neighbours paid tribute to a kind man committed both to his wife Peggy, 68, and his business.

One man, who asked not to be named, said: "They were a nice, friendly couple, and have lived her for over ten years. We used to speak to one another all the time.

"They were very sociable. Peter loved his jazz and used to go to concerts and performances regularly."

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