Flat fire - no working smoke alarms

Firefighters were called to reports of smoke coming from a first floor flat in Wickford.

When crews arrived they reported that the flat and roof space was full of smoke. The flat was on the first floor above a restaurant.

Watch Manager Finbar Tubby said: "The fire which started in the bedroom had spread through to the loft space and into the next property. Crews did a great job to stop it from spreading further. 

"Unfortunately, the residents had no working smoke alarms which could have detected the fire much quicker. We cannot stress enough how important it is to have them on every level of your home. If you haven’t got any or they’re not working, we can fit them for free. Get in touch with our home fire safety team at essex-fire.gov.uk/book or by calling 0300 303 0088.

"Due to the damage to the roof, the flat has been left uninhabitable." 

The cause of the fire has been recorded as undetermined.