Neighbour saves couple and dog from burning home

The fire broke out at the Basildon home in the early hours of Thursday morning

A neighbour used a ladder to rescue a couple and their dog from their home after a large blaze broke out, a fire crew said.

Essex fire service was called to a detached two-storey house in Basildon after the residents reported a fire on the ground floor.

The neighbour used a ladder to rescue them from an upstairs window, with fire crews arriving at the scene in the early hours of the morning.

The fire had started in the conservatory and had spread through the open plan living area. The blaze was extinguished by 03:00 BST.

Firefighters had put out the blaze by 03:00 BST

Watch manager Mark Blakebrough, from Basildon Fire Station, said: "The quick actions of the neighbours and the fact the occupants were woken by their smoke alarms saved their lives.

"We are confident this would have been a very different incident if it wasn't for the smoke alarms."