NEIGHBOURS have been praised after raising the alarm and alerting firefighters to a blaze at a Thurrock home.

The incident happened on Thursday (28 April) in High View Avenue, Grays, when crews were called to a house fire in 1.17pm after neighbours called 999 when they heard smoke alarms going off and could smell smoke.

On arrival, crews reported there was a pan on fire on the hob and the fire was spreading to the kitchen cabinets. Firefighters extinguished the fire by 1:52pm.

Watch Manager Gary Bannister from Grays Fire Station said: "This incident is the second incident Essex crews have been called to today where neighbours have called us when hearing smoke alarms.

"This highlights why it is so important to have working smoke alarms at home as not only do they alert you, but they alert neighbours and passers-by to a fire. If you hear smoke alarms going off, please dial 999…please don't assume somebody else has already called.

"We'd like to praise the neighbours who acted quickly in this incident to call us. A pan on the hob had been accidentally left on the heat and the residents had gone out. If this fire had been burning for longer, it could have spread across the house."

Essex Fire Service message to residents:

"Smoke alarms save lives. They can alert your family as well as your neighbours and passers-by to a fire in your home if you're not home.

"We recommend you have at least one working smoke alarm on every level of your home and that you test them at least once a month.

If you or someone you know doesn't have working smoke alarms, please get in touch. Visit essex-fire.gov.uk/book or call 0300 303 0088."