Neighbour calls 999 after hearing smoke alarm
Crews have issued safety advice after a smoke alarm alerted a neighbour to a kitchen fire.
We were called to a ground floor flat in Rampart Terrace in Shoeburyness today at 1.22am.
A neighbour had heard a smoke alarm sounding and when she looked through the letterbox she saw smoke in the property.
Two crews from Southend attended.
Temporary Watch Manager Richard Burch said: "We could see smoke in the property so we forced open the door.
"The occupant was asleep on the sofa so we made sure he was OK and got out safely. A pan was burning on the hob so we removed it and ventilated the property.
"Although a smoke alarm was sounding, it was a bit muffled so we installed two new alarms and left the occupant some home fire safety information.
"The incident shows the dangers of leaving cooking unattended and the importance of having working smoke alarms.
"I'd like to thank the resident who raised the alarm, they did exactly the right thing in calling 999."
Do you having working smoke alarms?
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.
