Fire in first floor flat: safety advice issued

Firefighters were called to reports of a fire on the balcony of a first floor flat after passers by noticed smoke.

A family of four escaped the property safely after being alerted by neighbours, but did not have a working smoke alarm.

The fire was extinguished by 9.41pm.

Dan Evison, Watch Manager at Southend Fire Station, said: "This family were lucky that their neighbours made them aware of the fire on their balcony - without working smoke alarms, the fire could easily have developed much more before they noticed.

"Smoke alarms give you the earliest possible notice of a fire in your home - which is why we want every home in Essex to have them. I'd encourage everyone to get them fitted if you don't already have them: they really can make all the difference in the event of a fire."

"I'd like to thank our crews for their quick response, which prevented this fire spreading any further and made sure no other properties were affected."

Firefighters used positive pressure ventilation fans to clear the property of smoke. The flat has avoided significant damage, beyond the balcony and rear doors to the property.

The cause of this fire is unknown.

Do you have working smoke alarms?

We want every home in Essex to have a working smoke alarm on every floor.

If you or someone you know doesn’t have working smoke alarms at home, please get in touch so we can see how best to provide fire safety advice, either through a Home Safety Visit or advice over the phone.

You can get in touch with us at essex-fire.gov.uk/book