Homeowner speaks out after fire in Albion Street, Rowhedge

Steve Johnson and wife, Paula’s, property in Albion Street, Rowhedge, was severely damaged by a blaze on Saturday evening, leaving it uninhabitable.

Firefighters were called to the scene at 9.36pm but were unable to get to the premises due to two vehicles being parked illegally on double yellow lines at a nearby junction.

Mr Johnson, who was treated for smoke inhalation after the fire, said it was lucky no-one was seriously harmed.

“It was extremely scary,” he said. “Apparently the fire brigade were not able to get up the road for between ten and 15 minutes.

“That ten to 15 minutes delay could have saved part of our property.

“Or if we were in serious trouble the delay could have created a life-threatening situation.

“To be honest I think another ten minutes and we would have been in serious trouble.”

READ MORE: Fire in Albion Street, Rowhedge

The fire is believed to have started when a kitchen roll, which ignited after being placed too close to a hob, was discarded in the garden.

Mr Johnson said: “It was smouldering so my wife ran it under a cold tap and she put it outside.

“It was three or four hours later before the fire started.

“We had been at the pub, then when we came home I decided to go to bed.”

Luckily, Mrs Johnson went to make a phone call and noticed a “crackling” sound coming from the back garden followed by smoke making its way upstairs.

Mr Johnson said: “She was trying to wake me up but I am a heavy sleeper.

“She had to get our neighbours Martin and Sharon who came in and helped get me out.”

Mr Johnson believes more than £25,000 worth of damage has been done to the property some of which could have been avoided if the fire service were able to get to the property faster.

He said: “The sad thing is we have just got the house decorated how we wanted it and we only finished that a couple of months ago.

“I have always said the road needs to be a one way system because the parking needs to be addressed.

“Something needs to be done about it.

“There are always cars parked down here and it was a matter of time before something like this happened.”

Damage - the home has been left uninhabitable

THE victim of a house fire has thanked the Rowhedge community for its support after the terrifying blaze.

Steve Johnson, who’s Albion Street property went up in flames on Saturday evening, said without his neighbours’ help the situation could have been be much worse.

“I really want to thank the people of Rowhedge,” he said.

“Everyone has been really supportive and we must have had 30 people come knocking on the door asking if we need anything.

“All of our neighbours were absolutely brilliant.

“Once the fire service were here they did an amazing job.”

Firefighters were able to restrict the damage caused by the blaze to a pergola in the garden area and the downstairs bathroom.

However, much of the property has also suffered smoke damage.

Mr Johnson added: “We are not allowed to stay in our house. “We are going to have to stay in temporary accommodation until it can be made safe.

“It could have been a lot worse. We have got shrubs in the garden which luckily did not go up in flames.”