Resident jumped from his burning home

The fire broke out at the home of a 46-year-old man in Draycot Close, in Draycot Foliat, near Chiseldon, shortly before 11pm on Friday.

Six fire engines and about 40 firefighters from Swindon, Stratton, Westlea, Devizes and Marlborough were called out.

Firefighters believe the fire started on the ground floor and worked its way up to the roof.

The cause is not yet known and an investigation is being carried out.

Fire and community safety officer Gary Heap said: "When we got to the property the fire was quite serious.

"The occupant told me he had leapt from an upstairs window. He suffered minor bruising to his leg but was not suffering from smoke inhalation."

Firefighters evacuated the neighbours.

"Our main concern was to stop the fire spreading to the next door neighbour," said Mr Heap.

"As a precaution we evacuated while we got the fire under control."

The blaze was brought under control at about midnight.

The fire brigade also alerted the Wiltshire fire and emergency support service, which has a caravan to take to serious fires so anyone affected has rest and shelter.

"The occupant was very grateful and could not say thank you often enough," said Yve Benwell, who took the caravan out to Draycot Foliat with her husband Len.

"The caravan just gives people a place to stop, away from all the bright lights and drama of it all and get their thoughts together.

"Anything like that is a shock to the system and people just need a bit of peace and quiet away from it all to sort their thoughts."

Mrs Benwell contacted Swindon Council's housing service which has arranged for the man to stay in bed and breakfast accommodation until Tuesday.

It is the second time the caravan has been called into use in the last month. The Wiltshire fire and emergency support service is fully staffed by volunteers and they are always on the look-out for more.

Anyone who would like to find out more should contact Christine Powell on 01793 859933.