Firefighters are praising the quick thinking of a 9-year-old boy who raised the alarm to a flat fire in Maldon.

Crews were called to a flat fire in Lincoln Way, at 9.09am after the boy saw smoke coming from the windows and heard smoke alarms. He rushed home and told his parents to dial 999. 

On arrival, crews reported that a ground floor flat was heavily smoke logged and the smoke alarms were going off. 

Crews wearing breathing apparatus entered the flat and found a fire in the kitchen. 

Firefighters extinguished the fire and rescued a cat by 9.41am. 

Crews believe the fire, on Sunday, 28 May, was caused after the hob was accidentally turned on. 

The flat has been left uninhabitable due to the fire and smoke damage.

Crew Manager Nick Trice from Maldon Fire Station said: "We'd like to highlight the quick-thinking from this boy, had he not raised the alarm so quickly, this could have been a much bigger incident and multiple people could have been made homeless.

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"This incident shows why it's so important to have working smoke alarms, they don't just raise the alarm to you but also to neighbours and passers by if there's a fire while you're not home.

"If you or someone you know doesn't have working smoke alarms at home, we can fit them for free. Find out more below."

Do you have working smoke alarms at home?

Smoke alarms are proven life savers. They will alert you to the first sign of fire, giving everyone in the property the time they need to get out safely call the fire service.

Essex Fire and Rescue Service wants to make sure that every single home in Essex has a smoke alarm, so crews will visit any home in Essex and fit smoke alarms completely free of charge.

What a home safety visit involves:

• Identifying and making you aware of the potential fire risks in your home
• Making sure you know what to do to reduce or prevent these risks
• Helping you put together an escape plan in case a fire breaks out in the future
• Making sure you have a working smoke alarm and, if you don't, we will fit a FREE ten year smoke alarm

To arrange your home safety visit call 0300 303 0088 or complete an online form.