Christmas has been ruined for a family whose home was gutted by a huge fire - thought to have been caused by tree fairy lights.
Dean Croucher, 20, and his 16-year-old girlfriend Louise Hawkins, had to run through thick black smoke after the fire took hold at the house in Hermes Way, Shoebury, just before 4pm yesterday.
The scene of the fire in Shoebury Picture: TERENCE BUNCH
Luckily, his bedridden grandad, 93-year-old James Warner, was not at home during the blaze.
Mr Croucher, a barman who also lives at the house with his mum and sister, said: "We just can't get over what's happened.
"I was in the shower and Louise was sitting talking to me when the fire started. We went to leave the bathroom, opened the door and there was thick black smoke everywhere."
One firefighter was taken to hospital during what one officer described as the worst fire he had seen in his 20-year career.
Published Friday, December 13, 2002
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