A NEIGHBOUR is in "shock" after witnessing a pensioner engulfed in flames.

Ben Cheeseman was on his way home from the shops yesterday when he heard screams coming from his neighbours' house.

He says Gloria Lynds was outside her house in South Hill Road, Gravesend, screaming for help.

Her husband Charlie, aged 86, had accidentally caught alight.

The 25-year-old ran into the house and found Mr Lynd sitting in flames in a chair in the kitchen.

He said: "There was a lot of smoke but I ran into the back room of the house and found him in a chair just engulfed in flames.

"He was burning from his knees up to his head, I didn't try to put him out or anything because you couldn't even get to him because there was so many flames.

"He was dead when I got there but I called 999 and made sure Gloria was okay."

The restaurant supervisor says the couple were very frail and only used the lower floor of their home.

He said: "They both had difficulties getting around and couldn't get up the stairs so lived in the bottom part of the house.

"I think Charlie's jacket caught alight when he leant over the hob of his cooker and then his whole body caught alight.

"He must have been knocked back into the chair.

"Gloria finds it very difficult to walk but she dragged herself out to get help and she did everything she could but it was too late.

"I'm in shock at the moment and just trying to get on with things."

Fifteen firefighters battled the blaze for an hour after arriving at 10.45am.

Firefighters from Thames-side, Swanscombe and Strood were called to the scene.

A Kent Fire and Rescue spokesman said: "Nobody else was injured or evacuated during the blaze."

There will be a post-mortem today at Darent Valley Hospital and an inquest is due to be opened later this week.

Thames-side firefighters, who attended the blaze, say residents should be careful not to wear loose clothing while cooking.

Crew manager Lee Murray said: "It was a very bad accident and we just want people to be more careful around naked flames, especially in the kitchen."

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