A FATHER has described the dramatic moment he tried to smash his way into a flat after arsonists started a blaze.

Brett Hammond, of St Austins Lane, Harwich, sprang into action after realising the flat opposite his home was on fire.

It is believed arsonists targeted the property at about 9.30pm on Tuesday.

He said: “My wife and daughter came running in and said ‘Someone’s trying to break in across the road’.

“A guy, aged about 60, had a brick and was smashing it through the window.

“He turned around and was gesturing for me to dial 999, which I did straight away.

"Smoke was billowing out of the window.

“Me and my son were bashing on the doors – the fire could have taken the block down.

“I was trying to get into the flat, but the smoke was too much.

“I could barely breathe.

“We went around the other side and you could see the living room was completely ablaze with bright orange.

“I was really concerned someone might have fallen asleep in there.

I was shouting through the window and there was no answer. The smoke was acrid.”

He said police were on the scene first and an officer got to the threshold, but could not get any further.

Two fire crews arrived and, wearing breathing apparatus, tackled the fire.

Essex Fire Service and Rescue said the blaze was deliberate and an investigation will be launched by Essex Police.

Dovercourt’s fire crews were also called to a flat fire in the town’s Pound Farm Drive at 4pm the same day.

A spokesman for the ambulance service said paramedics had been on the scene within five minutes, adding: “They treated a male teenager, who was conscious and breathing, for smoke inhalation and he was discharged.”

The fires came days after arsonists targeted a caravan in Kingsway, Dovercourt.