Firefighters have urged residents to make sure they have working smoke alarms after a man suffered burns in a Maldon house fire in the early hours of Monday (8 February).

Two Maldon fire crews rushed to the blaze at 3.43am at a house in Mount Pleasant, where they found a fire in a lounge.

It is believed sparks from a woodburner set fire to a basket of briquettes.

Watch Manager Martin Cable said: "Because there were no smoke alarms to warn the occupant, the fire took hold and actually burnt a hole through the floorboards.

"When the occupant noticed the fire, he tried to take the basket outside but suffered burns to his feet, arms and hands.

"Crews made the scene safe and administered first aid before ambulance crews arrived.

"The incident really does highlight the importance of having smoke alarms in your home - they act as an early warning and stop fires from escalating, as it did in this case."

"If you or someone you know does not have working smoke alarms, please get in touch with our service."

The lounge was smoke-damaged and a hole had burnt through the floorboard, but the house was otherwise undamaged. The cause has been recorded as accidental.