FIREFIGHTERS extinguished a blaze in a flat in Laindon and rescued a dog after a neighbour raised the alarm.

Firefighters from Basildon were called to Wimbourne today (Wednesday, 11 May) at 5.55am after a resident heard a smoke alarm in a neighbouring ground floor flat - and their own carbon monoxide alarm was also sounding 

When crews arrived, they could smell smoke and feel heat on the neighbouring flat's door.

They forced entry, extinguished a fire in the kitchen and used a fan to clear the smoke.

Crews also rescued a dog from the flat, as the owners were out at the time. The fire was fully extinguished by 6.46am.

It is believed the fire was caused by an electrical fault with a fridge/freezer and spread to cardboard and cereal boxes on top of it.

The flat was completely filled with smoke, although fire and heat damage was limited to the kitchen.