A brave builder has been hailed as a hero after rushing to tackle a huge home blaze with just a garden hose.

Stephen Dixon, 54, was driving through Benfleet, on Tuesday afternoon, when he spotted the huge plumes of black smoke billowing from the roof of the bungalow.

He rushed to help - clambering up a ladder and attempting to douse the flames with just a garden hose, until the fire service arrived.

He recorded his brave attempts on a mobile phone which also recorded the sounds of fire engine sirens in the background.

Stephen said: "I knew the hose wasn't going to do much in terms of putting out the flames.

"But it was a flat roof, so I was just trying to keep it from spreading across the whole roof and stop the whole thing going in before the fire brigade showed up.

"It felt like I was up there a long time, but I'm sure I probably wasn't - I'm sure the fire service got there as quickly as they could.

"At the end of the day, I'm just glad that everyone got out safely and no-one was hurt. I do feel for the poor lady whose house it is, though."

Echo:

And Stephen added: "There was another man who was actually inside the house trying to put the flames out from the inside - he's the real hero.

"I don't know who he was or whether he lived there - but I hope he's okay."

Essex Fire and Rescue Service confirmed that they attended the scene on Greenways in Benfleet on Tuesday shortly after 4pm, with the fire being put out by 4.45pm.

But the £300,000 bungalow was left destroyed - with the roof having collapsed in the blaze.

Echo:

A spokesperson for Essex Fire and Rescue said: "Firefighters were called to a fire in a bungalow in Benfleet this afternoon.

"When fire crews arrived they reported that the roof of the bungalow was alight and extinguished the fire by 4:45pm.

"Three people were left in the care of the Ambulance Service suffering from smoke inhalation.

"The cause has been recorded as accidental."

And people on Facebook have praised Stephen for his heroic actions in attempting to control the fire.

One woman wrote: "Well done for trying to help. You are a hero."

And another commented: "You are a good man... well done for attempting to contain the fire till the fire brigade came."