TWO youngsters have been praised for getting out, staying out and calling 999 after a fire in their home.

Crews were called to a house in Burns Place, Tilbury, today (Monday, 2 November) at 6.36pm after the pair, a teenager and his younger brother, heard a smoke alarm and discovered a small fire.

Watch Manager Dave Bond said: "Their mum had popped to the shops and they were playing on a computer upstairs when they heard the smoke alarm. They went downstairs to investigate and found a sofa alight, but they did exactly the right thing - they got out, stayed out and called 999.

"A neighbour, who had seen them outside, went to check they were OK and threw some water on the fire. We don't recommend anyone tries to tackle a fire themselves but she did prevent it from spreading."

Crews from Orsett and Grays were quickly on the scene and made sure the fire was fully extinguished, by 7.06pm. They also used a fan to clear the smoke.

In addition, firefighters replaced a smoke alarm on the first floor and fitted a second smoke alarm on the ground floor.

The cause of the fire has been recorded as undetermined.