HUGE plumes of smoke were sent billowing into the sky as a family home was destroyed by a large fire, with the roof collapsing inside the house.

Teams of firefighters tackled the blaze on Greenways, in Benfleet, yesterday afternoon at 4pm.

The fire was extinguished by 5pm, but the bungalow was destroyed with neighbours watching on as the roof collapsed.

Echo: The roof collapsed inside the home The roof collapsed inside the home

The residents rushed outside and rallied around the owner, who has been left without a home following the inferno.

One neighbour, who did not want to be named, said the roof of the house collapsed inside the home.

She said: “The neighbours opposite knocked on my mum’s door and said that the house next door is in fire.

“My mum just said ‘oh okay’ and shut the door thinking it was a little one.

“They came out and saw the smoke.

“My dad was in the shower and my mum was in the kitchen.

“The owners were in and they phoned 999.

“Someone was shouting “get out get out we’ll phone the ambulance”.”

The neighbour said that the fire had started at the back of the house.

Echo: Neighbours rallied around to support the owner Neighbours rallied around to support the owner

She said the owners of the ruined home had been having work done on an extension.

The neighbour isn’t clear what damage has been caused to her own home, however, she is pleased everyone is safe.

She added: “There will definitely be smoke damage.

“There’s a hole in the roof and damage to the back of the house, definitely.

“The most important thing is that everybody got out.”

Echo: Plumes of smoke billowed in the air Plumes of smoke billowed in the air

Nearby residents were forced to close their windows as clouds of smoke took over the sky.

Two fire engines and two ambulances were at the scene.

Echo: Firefighters tackled the blazeFirefighters tackled the blaze

Three people were left with the care of the ambulance service suffering with smoke inhalation.

The cause of the fire has been recorded as accidental.