Two families have been made homeless after a massive fire ripped through a row of historic cottages on Canvey.

More than 55 firefighters battled for almost three hours to control the blaze as it threatened to engulf the homes, more than a century old.

They managed to prevent the cottages from total destruction - but the full extent of the damage may not be known until mopping up operations were completed later today.

Crews from across south Essex were called to the Coastguard Cottages in Haven Road, as the fire took hold yesterday afternoon.

It is believed to have been started accidentally by a resident who was stripping paint from the wooden panels on the outside of his cottage with a blowtorch.

A strong sea breeze quickly fanned the flames along the cottages, which are listed buildings and thought to have been built in the middle or towards the end of the 19th century.

Anxious homeowners could only stand and watch as the firemen fought to prevent the fire from reaching all ten cottages.

A heap of furniture saved from one of the homes was piled on the grass outside, in the grounds of Hole Haven Caravan Park.

Home owner, Trevor Kitts called the fire brigade after returning from his boat to see smoke bellowing from the cottages.

The 48-year-old, said: "I just saw the smoke pouring out of the back. The man who lives at the end cottage had a little hose on it so I phoned the fire brigade.

"It spread so quickly."

Another upset homeowner, Tim Brennan was shocked to arrive home from shopping to find his home ablaze.

The 46-year-old who lives alone with his dog, Badger, said: "At first I thought I had left something on indoors.

"It was really frightening. It was like a scene from a film. You just never think this kind of thing will happen to you.

"Luckily my dog Badger was in the garden at the time and not in the cottage."

Ten engines from Canvey, Hadleigh, Basildon, Rayleigh, Southend, Hawkwell, Orsett and Grays, were on hand to tackle the blaze.

Spokesman for Essex fire service, Dave Warren, said: "The fire started at the end cottage but the wind came off the sea behind and pushed it along the roofs.

"It is a very unusual incident from our point of view. In Essex there are not many timber framed buildings and it is strange for one to catch fire.

"The firemen were also concerned about stopping the water going through the roof into the homes which causes just as much damage as the smoke and flames."

Firefighters managed to contain the blaze to the first five cottages by removing the wooden batons from underneath the slate roof tiles.

Up in smoke - firemen pump water onto the roof

(Right) Damping down - firemen in breathing apparatus get in close in a bid to stop flames spreading further along the row of cottages

Belongings were piled up outside

(Right) Shocked - resident Tim Brennan and Badger

Fire fight - crews battle to keep the roofs wet to stop further damage

(Right) Smoke logged - fire swept along the roofs

Pictures: ROB WELHAM and SARAH HUTLEY

Firemen praised

A man made homeless in a blaze which threatened to destroy a row of historic cottages on Canvey has praised firemen for beating back the flames.

More than 50 firefighters battled for almost three hours to prevent the Coastguard Cottages in Haven Road from being razed to the ground in the island's biggest fire for years.

Today, as experts sifted through the debris to establish what could be saved of the 150-year-old homes, Ron Norris and his wife, Jan, were staying in a nearby caravan.

The pair managed to save some of their clothes and furniture, but the upstairs of their listed cottage was burned out.

Mr Norris said: "If it wasn't for the firemen the whole lot would have gone up. They were absolutely brilliant.

"My roof is completely ruined and the ceilings have collapsed, so the upstairs is virtually gutted.

"Then downstairs we have a lot of water damage which has caused just as much damage as the fire."

Essex Fire and Rescue Service said the fire had been started by a homeowner carrying out preparations for painting and decorating with a blow-lamp.

Landmark - the former coastguards' cottages, damaged by yesterday's blaze

(Right) Race against time - firefighters halted the flames before they could completely destroy the cottages

Pictures: ROB WELHAM

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