'A tragedy for us all in the street'

Nov 19 2008 By Ed Saunt, Staines News

Horrified neighbours watched from their front porches and through their curtains as flames took hold of a house and claimed the life of a 88-year-old man.

Retired engineer Jack Webster lived alone in his Parkland Grove home and was found dead by firefighters who were called by neighbours at about 2.30am on Monday.

Nancy Johnson, of Parkland Grove, said: "Everyone was looking out their windows and out on the street - it's really worrying to wake up and hear all the shouting and sirens.

"The smell of smoke was so strong it was almost choking us over here so it's dreadful to think of what it was like inside."

Another neighbour, who called the fire brigade but did not want to be named, said: "It was so frightening.

"I smelt the smoke and panicked because I thought it could be my house and then I realised where it was coming from."

Mr Webster had lived in Parkland Grove for more than 60 years and cut a cheery figure as he regularly visited his allotment on his bicycle.

Neighbours saw him cycling just days before his death and said he still attended a jazz club with his family.

Jane Spencer, of Parkland Grove, said: "It's a great tragedy for us all in the street.

"He was so cheerful and real-ly popular in the community. He will be sorely missed."

Fire investigation manager Bryn Strudwick said: "We were called to the scene at about 2.30am by neighbours who were alerted by the smell of smoke in the area.

"When the crews arrived they found a serious fire inside and a man in his 80s who was found on the ground floor was pronounced dead at the scene."

At the time of going to press Mr Webster's body had not been formally identified.

Police and fire investigators were on the scene until about midday on Monday, with the road cordoned off, but the cause of the fire is not thought to be deliberate. .