FIREFIGHTERS have again highlighted the importance of having working smoke alarms on every level of your home after a kitchen fire in Basildon.

Crews were called to Wayletts, Basildon at 4am on Sunday, 5 November after residents woke up to a smoke-filled house. 

On arrival, firefighters confirmed that the house was heavily smoke-logged with a fire in the kitchen. 

Crews wearing breathing apparatus entered the house and found a pan on fire on the hob.

Firefighters extinguished the fire and worked to ventilate the property. 

The occupants were left in the care of the ambulance service to be treated for smoke inhalation.

Crew manager Kriss Mortimer from Basildon Fire Station said: "We cannot stress enough how important it is to have working smoke alarms on every level of your home. 

"The occupants were extremely lucky that they woke up and noticed the smoke but usually your smoke alarms would be waking you up much earlier to the first signs of fire. 

"Please make sure you have at least one working smoke alarm on every level of your home. If you haven't got any or they're not working, we can fit them for free. Get in touch with our home fire safety team at essex-fire.gov.uk/book or by calling 0300 303 0088."

"I'd like to praise the BA crews for their quick action to put the fire out, this prevented it spreading throughout the house as the doors were open and contained the damage to the kitchen.

"We recommend you keep your hob clear at all times once you've finished cooking as it can be easy to leave the hob on or for it to accidentally be switched on."

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 in.

Firefighters 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, get in touch with Essex Fre and Rescue Service. Visit essex-fire.gov.uk/book or call 0300 303 0088.