THIS is the scene bewildered residents woke up to this morning after a fire raged in the early hours.
It is thought an electrical fault in the loft of the housing association flats in Harberd Tye, Great Baddow, Chelmsford, caused the blaze at about 2am this morning.
James Shilingis, 27, and his partner Stephanie Dodd, 26, live opposite.
"I'm a light sleeper and I heard shouting and breaking glass but I first thought someone was having a loud party," said Stephanie.
"But James saw the fire, grabbed a dressing gown and rushed outside while I rang the fire brigade, but they said they had already been notified.
"I then went outside and there were lots of people standing around and lots of cars parked on both sides of the road so we got them to move their cars.
"The smashing sound was the roof tiles falling down.
"The fire brigade, ambulance, police and the Red Cross turned up but not the housing association (Moat)."
It is alleged a representative from Moat did not turn up until about 9am this morning. They have not responded to the Chronicle's request for a comment.
James, who runs a photography business with Sophie, said: "The Red Cross first sorted out people with temporary accommodation, but I think Moat has now sent some people to Harlow.
"One woman was about two weeks away from full term pregnancy - another woman who moved into the bottom flat three weeks ago. I feel so sorry for them.
"I knocked on the doors of the adjacent flats to get them out and grabbed our little extinguisher to smash any doors that needed it, but thankfully everyone got out.
"People were just standing around - they couldn't do anything - the poor guys had just been made homeless."
