FIREFIGHTERS extinguished a garage fire caused by a tumble dryer in Maldon yesterday.

Essex County Fire & Rescue Service was called to Johnston Way yesterday (Saturday, 1 March) at 4.30pm after reports of a fire in a garage.

The occupants had been shopping and when they came back they saw smoke coming out of the garage. On further investigation they saw the tumble dryer was on fire.

Crews from Maldon and Wickford quickly worked to tackle the blaze.

Watch Manager Nick Trice said: "Crews cut into the garage, extinguished the fire and cleared the smoke.

"Thankfully the occupants had closed the internal door, which prevented most of the smoke getting into the house and stopped the fire from spreading.

"The occupants had used the tumble dryer that afternoon but we can't be sure if it was the accumulation of heat or a fault which caused the fire. 

"Remember to remove items from your tumble dyer immediately and shake them to help them to cool down quicker."

Crews left the scene at 5.48pm.