A quick-thinking man leapt into action to drag his neighbour out of bed to safety as a fire blazed below his bedroom window.
The blaze, which badly damaged cars, caused nearby windows to shatter and torched trees and may have been started deliberately.
Fire crews were called to Great Totham Road, Wickham Bishops, on Sunday morning to put out the flames, which started in the car park for the flats.
An Essex County Fire and Rescue Service investigation could not determine the cause of the fire, but a spokesman said it could have been accidental or deliberate.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here