A kind-hearted Epsom resident is fundraising to help a man get back on his feet after his house boat was destroyed in a fire in Kingston.   

Sean Grange, originally from Kingston, set up a Just Giving page after the boat owner “narrowly escaped with his life and only the clothes on his back” when his Caribbean cruiser went up in flames on December 6.

See related: Boat fire in Kingston: Caribbean cruiser completely destroyed after fire rips through it on the Thames

The London Fire Brigade was called to the incident just before midnight and luckily no one was injured, but the owner has been left homeless.

Sean said: “I’ve known Dennis for a few years.

“He's worked with me on a lot of jobs.

“I don't think anyone should have to deal with something this bad on their own, especially at this time of the year.

“Hopefully it will cheer him up letting him know there’s always someone who cares and who is willing to help.”

Dennis has lived on the house boat for five years.

Sean said: “He had some bad luck few years ago when the boat actually sank while he was away.

“So he got it back out of the water and started rebuilding it again from scratch.

“It was just about saveable.

“Unfortunately this time he can't save it and has now lost everything and has to start a fresh.”

Sean, who runs a plumbing company, is offering anyone who donates more than £20 to the cause free winter boiler checks.

He aims to raise £2,000 “to help rebuild a man’s life”, and people had already donated £522 to the cause at the time of writing.

To donate go here.