Corringham couple and pets saved after lightning strike at house

PC Dave Bridge and his wife Samantha helped rescue the elderly couple from the York Avenue fire

A police couple have been praised for rescuing their elderly neighbours whose home had been struck by lightning.

PC Dave Bridge and his wife Samantha, who work for Essex Police, were woken by "an explosion that shook the house" in Corringham, at 03:30 BST on Sunday.

The pair "braved thick smoke and a collapsing ceiling" to rescue their neighbours, plus six dogs and a cat, the force said.

"We didn't hesitate," PC Bridge said. "It's just what you do, isn't it?"

PC Bridge, a police dog handler, went to check on his own family's five dogs - including police dogs Leo and Ralph - before his stepson alerted him to the fire next door.

He said they feared for neighbours Barry and Margaret, who had mobility issues.

Neighbours helped get residents and their pets out of the bungalow before fire crews arrived

"There was smoke billowing between the two bungalows and the side of the house was ablaze," he said.

"I ran around to the front and another neighbour was banging on one of the windows.

"Barry opened the inner door and me and Samantha rushed in. I shouted 'It's time to get out now, come on'. Margaret was through the back - she didn't hear the explosion.

"Samantha set about getting hold of Barry and Margaret and taking them outside, and I took all the dogs, one by one, under my arm and put them in the back of their car."

The neighbours were taken safely to another house and an ambulance was called.

The roof of the bungalow ignited after a lightning strike, the fire service said

Crews from Corringham, Orsett, Basildon and Grays fought the blaze for two hours.

The roof and loft bedrooms suffered extensive damage but crews managed to save the property, the fire service said.

PC Bridge and his wife - who works in the force's Criminal Justice Unit - played down their bravery, saying they "only did what comes naturally".

"Our other neighbours in the street were really good as well, bringing cups of tea and looking after Barry and Margaret," he said.

"It's a nice community."