A BRAVE man who jumped from the second floor window of a burning building is being recognised for helping save his neighbours' lives.

Joel Richards lived in Rowe Court, a block of flats in Grovelands Road, Reading where a deadly fire broke out on Wednesday, December 15.

He suffered injuries and burns to his face whilst helping his neighbours escape the fire on the second floor.

One person died and a murder investigation was launched after the blaze ripped through the building at 3am.

READ MORE: Reading fire: Police give update on missing week after blaze

Flames crackling like “glass bottles smashing” injured at least 11 people and multiple flat residents are “unaccounted for.”

Reading Chronicle: Photo by Just Giving Photo by Just Giving

Katia De Angelo from Reading has set up a fundraising page to help her colleague Joel, who "lost his home and belongings" in the fire.

The fundraising page said: "Joel used to live on the second floor in a four floors block of flats. All residents needed to jump through the windows to save their lives.

ALSO READ: Reading fire: Appeals to find missing victims in Rowe Court

"Joel who was on the second floor, ran to try to help neighbours at the same floor, getting multiple burns, reaching the next-door neighbours, three of them jumped through the window from the second floor. Joel got some injuries from the fall. He lost his home with all his belongs, he is now in a flat provided by the council. Any help will be much appreciated."

Katia set up the page to help her neighbour Joel, who she also works with at Reading Buses.

Adding; "Joel was my neighbour, he is my friend and co-worker, just after all happened I was there with him until the ambulance took him to the hospital."

Katia hopes to raise £2,000 and has so far reached £915.

Visit: https://gofund.me/c31ee0c3 to donate.