Family made homeless days before Christmas after fire

The house in Harlow was badly damaged by fire and smoke

A family has been made homeless after a devastating fire broke out in their living room days before Christmas

Essex County Fire & Rescue Service was called to Felmongers, Harlow, at 14:49 GMT on Thursday after neighbours heard smoke alarms going off.

Crews arrived at the scene and found the house was heavily smoke-logged.

The blaze was thought to have started after an unattended candle overheated on a glass table, the fire service said.

'Swap real candles for LEDs'

Firefighters wearing breathing apparatus entered the home and rescued a dog.

The flames, which started in the living room, left the house "badly" fire and smoke damaged.

The fire service said the homeowner was made temporarily homeless following the incident.

“Please make sure to blow any candles out every time you need to leave the room, even if you’re only leaving for a moment," Harlow watch manager Steve Allen said.

“Our advice would be to swap real candles for LED candles - they’re much safer."

He added: "We’d also like to highlight the importance of having working smoke alarms, they’re not just there to alert you to a fire but your neighbours and any passers-by too if you’re not home."