Smoke alarms alert family to fire
Firefighters are highlighting the importance of working smoke alarms after a house fire in Colchester last night.
Crews were called to Magdalen Street, Colchester at 10:45pm after the resident woke up to the smell of smoke and her smoke alarms going off.
The resident was able to escape the house with her two children.
On arrival, crews entered the property and extinguished a fire in a storage cupboard.
Crews also rescued a cat and a dog. Firefighters gave the dog oxygen therapy and it was left in the care of a vet.
Firefighters believe the fire was caused by an electrical fault in a light fitting.
Watch Manager Ian Ryder from Colchester Fire Station said: “This incident really highlights the importance of having working smoke alarms. A fire can happen at any time and having smoke alarms can give you an early warning to a fire, giving you and your family time to escape.
“We want everyone in Essex to have working smoke alarms at home and would encourage you to book a free home fire safety visit from us where we can fit smoke alarms for free if you need them. Find out more at www.essex-fire.gov.uk/book.”
Do you have working smoke alarms at home?
Smoke alarms save lives. They can alert your family as well as your neighbours and passers by to a fire in your home if you're not in.
We recommend you have at least one working smoke alarm on every level of your home and that you test them at least once a month.
If you or someone you know doesn’t have working smoke alarms at home, please get in touch with our Service. Visit essex-fire.gov.uk/book or call 0300 303 0088.
