FIREFIGHTERS have highlighted the importance of having a working smoke alarm after a device alerted an elderly woman to a fire in her home today (Monday, 4 October).

Two crews from Basildon Fire Station were called to a house fire in Long Ridings in Basildon at 12:43pm.

On arrival, crews reported that the kitchen was heavily smoke logged after the dishwasher had caught fire.

Crews extinguished the fire by 1.41pm. A woman was treated by the Ambulance Service for smoke inhalation.

Crew Manager Dan Tolley from Basildon Fire Station said: "The lady was alerted to this fire by the smoke alarms that she had on each level of her home. Her smoke alarms alerted her quickly to the fire which enabled to get out of the house to call us.

"We recommend everyone has at least one working smoke alarm on every level of their 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 in.

Essex Fire and Rescue Service 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 the service via this link or call 0300 303 0088.