A COUPLE say it would be “a dream come true” to rebuild their home after it was burnt to the ground.

Tom and Valerie Grant were left devastated after a fire ripped through their bungalow in Beverley Avenue, Canvey,leaving them homeless in January.

They have now submitted plans to Castle Point Council to rebuild the property and say they cannot wait to get back.

Mr Grant, 64, said: “We had only been in our bungalow for a year, but it would make us so happy to get back there.

“It would be a dream come true.”

The blaze started on January 15 after a boiler exploded and fire tore through the one-bedroom bungalow.

Brave Mr Grant helped his wife, Valerie, and dog, Millie, to safety before returning to try to fight the flames himself.

It took eight crews from Basildon, Rayleigh Weir, Leigh and Corringham three hours to extinguish the fire. The couple lost most of their possessions, but a pair of one-of-a kind shoes, presented to Mrs Grant by Hollywood legend Judy Garland, survived the fire.

The charred remains of the house are still standing in Beverley Avenue. Experts say it will need to be completely demolished and rebuilt from scratch.

Mr and Mrs Grant, who are staying in rented accommodation on the island, are planning to replace their bungalow with a near-identical home.

Mr Grant added: “Waiting for the plans to be finalised is a big worry. We just hope everything goes to plan.

“We cannot wait to get back to it and our garden.

“We were sat in the lounge when it happened and I tried to fight the fire, but in vain. It has really taken its toll on us. My wife has been very ill.

“We lost everything, but we are just so happy to be alive.”

The couple also thanked the local community for their support.

He said: “Our neighbours were absolutely wonderful. When the work is done we plan to hold a massive barbecue to thank everyone who helped us .

“We don’t know what we would have done without them.”

Neighbours claimed the fire had been started by faulty electrical repairs which had been done in the street.

The Health and Safety Executive launched an investigation into the claims, but it was later dropped.