Christmas horror for couple

A former mayor and his wife watched in horror as a fire threatened to engulf their home on Christmas Day.

Reginald and Yvette Saviel had just finished eating Christmas dinner with their daughter, son-in-law and granddaughter when the blaze started in their home in Beechwood Park, Leatherhead.

Mr Saviel, 84, who was mayor of Epsom in 1974, was in the front room when a candle caught light to the curtains at around 5.30pm.

"We had just cleared the table when the fire started," he said.

"I was the only one in the room at the time because I was putting away the cutlery but I then drew the curtains and it all flared up.

"I got everyone out of the house as quickly as possible and called the emergency services. Our next door neighbour then took us in while we waited and I remember feeling helpless watching the fire grow because I knew there was nothing any of us could do."

Crews from Leatherhead and Epsom fire stations arrived on the scene to tackle the blaze and an ambulance also attended to examine Mr Saviel.

"The room is completely smoke damaged and that is a real shame because we had only decorated the room three weeks ago and it even had a new carpet," he continued.

"All our records and documents are in the room as well as our computer, printer and scanner so we are really hoping they are not too badly damaged but we are assuming they will be.

"The table and chairs are all ruined and the front glass of an anniversary clock we have in there has melted. The window has also been destroyed and that was boarded up by the firefighters.

"The whole house smells of smoke and everything we touch is covered in soot."

Mr Saviel added: "At the end of the day, I guess we have to be grateful that we have only lost sentimental items and not lives or limbs."