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Essex is home to two airports, Stansted and Southend, as well as Harwich seaport, Lakeside shopping centre, Coryton oil refinery, power stations, docks at Tilbury and, along the Thames, seven underground stations and parts of the M25 and M11…

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Incident

House fire - no working smoke alarms

Crews were called to a house in Winnock Road, Colchester, last night (Monday) after reports of a house fire. 

On arrival firefighters reported the fire was in an upstairs bedroom and quickly tackled it. 

Following an investigation, officers determined that the fire was caused by a fault in a digital timer that powered the immersion heater. 

Colchester Fire Station's White Watch Manager said:

"There were no smoke alarms in this man's home. As firefighters, we simply can not understand why there are still homes without smoke alarms. 

"This gentleman was so lucky that the fire started when he was awake as he heard the crackling, discovered the fire and was able to get himself and his cat outside to safety. 

"Had this same incident happened at 3am it would have been a very different story. 

"Please, make sure you and your loved ones have a working smoke alarm on every level of your home."

The house has been completely damaged by smoke and the bedroom has been destroyed by the fire. 

Closed
Fire
Incident number
187795
Attending station
Colchester
Location
Winnock Road, Colchester
Date
9.36pm - 30 January 2023

Do you have working smoke alarms?

Do you have at least one smoke alarm on every level of your home and test your smoke alarms regularly?

If you or someone you know hasn't got working smoke alarms at home, did you know we can fit them for free?

Please get in touch with our home fire safety team by calling 0300 303 0088 or by visiting essex-fire.gov.uk/book

Community Safety Officer fits smoke alarm to the ceiling
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