House fire in Clacton-On-Sea

Firefighters were called to a property in Clacton-On-Sea this morning, when a bathroom fan caught alight and spread to the roof of the house.

Crews were called to Kelsey Avenue in Clacton-On-Sea at 10:23am after beachgoers heard a smoke alarm and noticed smoke coming from a first floor window.

On arrival, firefighters confirmed a fire, which started in the bathroom on the first floor, had spread to the roof of the property. They also confirmed the house was heavily smoke-logged.

Crews worked quickly to extinguish the fire by 12:38pm, then ventilated the property.

The property suffered significant damage as a result of the fire and is now unfortunately uninhabitable.

Watch Manager at Clacton Fire Station, Scott MacClean, said: “I’d like to praise the crews for working hard to prevent the fire from spreading further.

“A smoke alarm will alert you to the first sign of fire in your home. These kinds of incidents really highlight how important it is to have working smoke alarms on every level of your property. If you're out, a smoke alarm can alert neighbours or passersby to a fire in your home.”

Do you have working smoke alarms in your 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 home.

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, please get in touch. Visit essex-fire.gov.uk/book or call 0300 303 0088.