NEIGHBOURS have spoken of their shock after a house fire left a family of six homeless.

The fire broke out at about 7pm on Tuesday evening at a semi-detached bungalow in Allen Way, Point Clear.

A woman and her five children were alerted to the fire by their smoke alarms and were able to escape safely.

When crews from Clacton, Weeley and Colchester arrived they found the roof of the house completely alight and flames had broken through.

Firefighters managed to extinguish the by fire by 8pm.

Neighbour Robert Mantin, 31, said his partner, Katie, called the fire brigade at around 7.20pm.

He said: “I was at my mother-in-laws and I got a call saying the house next door was on fire.

“The smoke was pouring out of the side of the house, it was going everywhere.

“The flames were going for it, it was all up in the roof and we were trying to keep out of the smoke.

“A man who lives out the back was letting his daughter in out and he looked up and saw the flames.

“He panicked and came round here and banged on the doors. We’re just thankful no-one got hurt in it.”

He added: “It’s really scary for her children, all their stuff was in the house.

“It’s quite a quiet cul-de-sac around here, there’s usually not many people around.

“My kids have always got on with hers.”

Robert and his family were able to return to their property.

He said: “Her kids came round here to avoid the smoke, but the kids were traumatised by what had happened.

“They were worried their mother was going to go back in the house.”

A spokesperson for the Fire Service said: “Fire crews worked quickly to extinguish the fire and stop it spreading to the property next door.

“Firefighters managed to extinguish the by fire by 8pm.

“The neighbours were able to return to their property, however, the bungalow affected is no longer habitable.

“The roof, one bedroom and the bathroom have been badly damaged by the fire.

“The cause of the fire was found to be an electrical fault.”