An electrical engineer helped a couple to escape after a fire broke out at their Orpington house and gutted the property yesterday morning, neighbours say.

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The London Fire Brigade was called at 10.05am to Repton Road after the flames quickly spread to all floors and the roof of the building. The roof of a neighbouring home was also set ablaze.

Neighbours, who stood outside watching the smouldering house, said the people who lived inside were having an electrical meter installed when there was a small "explosion".

The fire brigade confirmed that a man and a woman had managed to escape from the property before they arrived.

This Is Local London:

This Is Local London:

Brian Friend, 54, said he looked outside his house and thought it looked "misty".

He said: "I saw and heard a big flash at their front door.

"It took hold extremely fast. It was quite worrying.

"We're led to believe it was an electrical fire of some description."

This Is Local London:

This Is Local London:

He went on: "It seemed to go into next door's roof but luckily I don't think there was anyone inside."

Neighbours said the couple, who had been trying to sell their home, had lived there for many years and were distraught at losing everything.

Chris Marchant, 50, said: "The place just went up.

"Because it spread to the one next door, they had to come and pour water into his loft, so that poor man's house is ruined too."

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A spokesman for EDF Energy said: "An EDF Energy meter operative was working within one of these properties at the time of the incident, and we can confirm that he is unharmed.

"We are actively providing support to residents of both properties.

"We will work with the relevant authorities in establishing the cause of the fire."