Eyewitnesses to a care home blaze have told how the roof went up in flames within minutes.

A pensioner is missing after the fire broke out last night at Gibson Court, in Manor Road North, Hinchley Wood.

John Peters, who lives directly behind the warden-assisted accommodation, said he could hear fire fighters bashing windows and doing everything they could to get the pumps down to the fire.

He said: “We woke up at about two o’clock and heard the smashing of glass.

“It was quite loud, it just looked like one window on the top level then all of a sudden it went ballistic and the whole thing went up.

“The whole roof just went up and it spread within a number of minutes. The flames were higher than the tress. It was scary thinking about all the people in there.

“We weren’t panicking for ourselves but I just couldn’t believe what I was seeing. I have never seen anything like it before.”

Surrey Fire and Rescue Service are trying to find the missing woman and are investigating the cause of the fire.

The fire was put out this morning, but six engines remained on site.

Do you know anyone that lived in the care home or did you see what happened? Call the newsdesk on 0208 744 4255 or email lrobertson@london.newsdesk.co.uk or leave a comment below.