FORMER Malmesbury mayor Brian Denley narrowly escaped death when a blaze ripped through his home.

Mr Denley, 77, who served on the town council for 40 years, was out on a rare trip to a local pub when a fire started in his Bremilham Rise home on Friday evening leaving it scorched and gutted throughout the first floor.

Neighbours frantically called the emergency services concerned that Mr Denley, who has mobility problems, was still trapped inside.

His daughter Sharon Davis, who lives in Cepen Park, Chippenham, said: “Even when we arrived people couldn’t confirm that he wasn’t in the house; I was petrified.”

Fire crews from Malmesbury, Tetbury, Chippenham, Cirencester and Wootton Bassett battled to put out the first floor blaze which is believed to have been caused by a cigarette in a lodger’s bedroom. Support appliances from Stratton and Swindon, and the British Red Cross fire and emergency support service also went to the scene.

Mr Denley, a former publican who used to run The Borough Arms, is now living with his daughter Alison in Swindon until accommodation can be sorted out.

“Dad very rarely goes out so it was really like a gift from God that this was one of the evenings that he was out,” said Mrs Davis.

She said: “He’s received lots of well-wishes from family and friends. He is extremely grateful to the emergency services for their quick response.

“He’s fine; he is feeling a little bit vulnerable. We have managed to get respite care for him at Athelstan House in Malmesbury.

“Since it has happened he has been very keen to get back to Malmesbury. He’s very much a Malmesbury lad.”

Neighbours alerted the emergency services fearing for Mr Denley’s life.

Brian and Lois Mullett, who live a few doors down, have known the pensioner and his family for 40 years.

“There were about four fire engines out there and all the neighbours were out,” said Mrs Mullett.

“Brian (Denley) was in shock when we spoke to him. We’ve known him since his children were born.

“We all thought that he was in there because he’s not a well man and he sleeps downstairs, but one of his lodgers had taken him out for the day.

“It was scary though because we weren’t sure how Brian was.

Mr Mullett said: “It’s not very often that Brian goes out to the pub so he was fortunate that the lodger had taken him out; if he hadn’t taken him out it probably would have been it.”

A spokesman for the town council said: “Brian is a fine old man who was mayor in 1981 and 1982, during which time he obviously contributed a lot to the town, particularly during his 40 years service as a town councillor.

“On behalf of all the members, we wish him well and hope he is back in his home soon.”