Neighbour rescues elderly man after hearing smoke alarms

Firefighters are highlighting the importance of working smoke alarms after a man was rescued by his neighbour in Benfleet who heard smoke alarms going off. 

Crews were called to High Road, Benfleet yesterday afternoon and reported that a house was heavily smoke logged. 

An elderly man had been rescued by his neighbour before we arrived after acting quickly when hearing smoke alarms going off. 

Firefighters wearing Breathing Apparatus entered the house to extinguish the fire and believe it was caused by an item left on the hob catching alight when the hob was accidentally turned on. 

The kitchen was left smoke damaged. 

Watch Manager Darryl Worster from Basildon Fire Station said: “This incident really highlights why it’s so important to have working smoke alarms in your home. They’re not just there to alert you but to alert others around you to a fire in your home.

“A big thank you to the brave neighbour who acted quickly to rescue the man from the smoke logged house. 

“We want everyone in Essex to have working smoke alarms and can fit free smoke alarms to anyone who needs them. Find out more at www.essex-fire.gov.uk/book.”