NEIGHBOURS of a “selfless” Cam man whose house was severely damaged in a fire on Sunday have come together to support him.

Nigel Slarke, 71, had to be rescued by a neighbour after fire took hold of his Cam Green home on Sunday afternoon.

Mr Slarke was asleep in his living room at the time and unaware of the blaze which had started spreading upstairs.

Shortly after he escaped the building, at about 1pm, the first two crews of firefighters - both based in Dursley - arrived.

They were later joined by an extra team from Stroud and by crews with specialist equipment based in Cheltenham.

For almost six hours they fought to extinguish the fire and even once that was done were still at the house until 10pm making sure it was secure.

One of Mr Slarke’s neighbours, Keri Collins, said that seeing first-hand what they do gave her even more admiration for the fire service.

“I think everyone recognises that firefighters do an amazing job,” she said.

“But seeing them here for hours without even taking a break was amazing.

“Not only did they put out the fire, but they helped Nigel and organised absolutely everything for him.”

Speaking to the Gazette, Mr Slarke added his thanks to the emergency services which attended.

“Everyone has been so helpful,” he said. “From the firefighters and paramedics to Jenny [Walkley, deputy clerk] at Cam Parish Council. I am so grateful to them for everything they have done.”

With Mr Slarke due to attend an interview for a job yesterday and with most of his belongings destroyed in the fire, neighbours lent him clothes to enable him to go.

“We just want to do what we can to help him,” Keri added. “When I first moved here six or seven years ago, Nigel was the first person to say hello and offer me help.

“He is a truly lovely, selfless man and it is horrible that he is having to go through this.”

Immediately after the fire, a room at a bed and breakfast was arranged for Mr Slarke by staff at Cam Parish Council.

Mr Slarke added: “Thankfully I have insurance so hopefully everything is covered but I do feel horrible seeing what was my parents’ home in such a state.

“I was sweating buckets all night worrying about what might happen but everyone has been so amazing and helpful to me.”

Donations are being collected by neighbours and an online fundraiser has been set up to help Mr Slarke while everything is sorted, it can be found at gofundme.com/help-nigel-rebuild-his-home

Firefighters returned to the house on Monday and are still investigating what caused the fire to break out.