FIREFIGHTERS were called to a house on Rectory Road, Orsett, this morning (Monday, 26 December) after a dog walker noticed smoke coming from the property and called 999.

On arrival just after 7am firefighters reported that the house was completely smoke logged and there was a fire in the kitchen.

Station Manager Mark Elliott said: "We're not sure how long the fire had been burning as no one was at home and there were no smoke alarms going off. It wasn't until a passerby noticed smoke that we were called.

"Once our crews arrived they quickly stopped the fire spreading, extinguished it and ventilated the property.

"This just shows how important it is to have working smoke alarms on every level of your home - even if you're out at the time of a fire they are likely to alert anyone nearby more quickly."

The house has been left with smoke and fire damage.

Following an investigation, the cause of the fire has been recorded as accidental.