A mayor whose house burnt down is planning to rebuild it.

On May 17 fire crews rushed to Honey Lane in Waltham Abbey after neighbours heard an explosion.

When they arrived they found the house of the town's mayor Councillor Mick Fitch on fire.

While the blaze was quickly controlled by the six crews in attendance, Cllr Fitch's house was one of four badly damaged.

Now he and his wife have submitted a planning application to Epping Forest District Council requesting permission to rebuild the house.

A letter from Studio C architect Sarah Coughlan reads: "The fire has damaged the structural integrity of the building from wall plate level such that the existing roof requires full replacement.

"The fire also caused severe damage to the fear single storey accommodation which requires careful demolition/removal before reinstatement construction.

"The proposal is to partially demolish the property where identified above due to fire damage before reinstatement on a 'like for like' basis and to meet current building regulation standards."