A MAN has said he was "lucky to escape with his life" after a neighbouring flat set on fire.

The man, who wishes to remain anonymous, was one of dozens of residents evacuated from a block of flats in Leighwood Avenue, Leigh, on Sunday afternoon.

The resident said: "The first I knew of it was when one of my neighbours banged on my door and said we had to get out because the flats were on fire.

"I grabbed what I could and ran out of the flat.

"I was asleep after a late night. I can't smell myself and I'm deaf in one ear and usually sleep on my good ear so it was really lucky that I had a friend staying with me because if he hadn't, I might not have woke up in time to get out.

"We went outside in the freezing cold and the fire fighters turned up pretty quickly.

"I could see the flames from outside and all the windows went black with smoke and cracked."

Two fire crews, one from Leigh and one from Rayleigh, rushed to the scene to tackle the blaze.

On arrival, firefighters reported there was a fire inside an airing cupboard in the hallway of one of the first-floor flats.

The crews worked to extinguish the fire by 1.30pm and then ventilated the property but unfortunately, it suffered extensive fire and smoke damage and is now uninhabitable.

The cause of the fire is undetermined at this time.

The man added: "One of my neighbours said they heard someone upstairs outside the flat where the fire started making threats and this isn't the first time there has been trouble there.

"It's such a shame because this is a really good block to live in but this incident could have cost us our lives and it's fortunate we escaped with our lives.

"I went back in sooner than they said I should have to make sure my stuff was OK but my flat wreaked of smoke so I had to have all my windows open for the rest of the day. It was freezing."

The flats are operated by South Essex Homes.

A spokesman for South Essex Homes said: "The flat is now uninhabitable and the tenant, who was not inside the flat at the time of the fire, has been moved to temporary accommodation whilst reparative works are carried out. Neighbouring flats suffered minor damage but occupants have been able to remain in their homes.

"Essex Police have made an arrest in relation to this incident, therefore it would be inappropriate for us to comment further on this matter at this stage."