Firefighters are warning residents to keep a close eye when charging e-scooters and batteries after a house fire in Basildon left a family homeless.

Crews were called to a house fire just after 10am on Saturday (29 August) after an e-scooter battery on charge caught alight.

When firefighters arrived, they reported the house was heavily smoke logged with a fire inside a kitchen.

Watch Manager Joe Fisher from Rayleigh Fire Station said: "Thankfully the residents acted quickly to get out of the house straight away while calling 999, as e-scooter batteries can explode under high temperatures.

"Crews then worked quickly to get the fire under control and prevent it spreading to the house next door.

"We highly recommend people keep a close eye when charging e-scooters as the batteries can very quickly overheat. Make sure to buy e-scooters, batteries and chargers from reputable retailers and make sure the parts you buy are recommended by the manufacturer for your e-scooter."