A MAN has today been praised by firefighters for saving the life of his neighbour.

The man was alerted to something happening when he hear a smoke alarm sounding in his next-door neighbours home in Trunette Road, Clacton last night.

Concerned for the safety of his neighbour he went to investigate at around 7.30pm.

Spotting smoke pouring out of a bathroom window the man called the emergency services.

Three fire crews, two from Clacton and one from Weeley arrived at the scene to discover a 30-year-old man, who had been inside the burning building, outside, safely away from the blaze.

The man was treated by the ambulance service for shock and smoke inhalation.

A spokesman for the Essex Fire and Rescue Service praised the quick-thinking of the man’s neighbour.

“A neighbour alerted crews after hearing a smoke alarm sounding in the next door house. He was able to raise his neighbour inside the burning building and potentially save him from serious injury.”

A firefighter at the scene said the semi-detached house, measuring 6m by 6m is 50% alight and the whole of the building is heavily smoke logged.

Crews are currently at the scene tackling the flames.