FIREFIGHTERS have highlighted the importance of having working smoke alarms after neighbours called them about a fire in Vange when they heard alarms going off.

Crews were called to Ryedene Place, Vange at 9.42am on Thursday, 1 September to reports of alarms going off.

On arrival, crews reported that a kitchen in ground floor flat was on fire.

Crews extinguished the fire by 10:40am and believe it was caused when the hob was accidentally left on with a box on top.

Crew Manager Finbar Tubby from Basildon Fire Station: "This incident shows how important it is to have working smoke alarms at home and how important it is to act when you hear them going off. The resident wasn't home and their neighbours acted quickly to call us.

"Smoke alarms save lives and we recommend you have a working smoke alarm on every level of your home. They can alert you, a neighbour or a passer by to the first signs of fire.

"We also recommend you keep your hob clear at all times in case you forget to switch it off after use or it gets accidentally switched on."