Smoking in bed 'causes serious fire' at Maulden home

The fire started in the bedroom of the house in the village, which is near Flitwick

A "serious" house fire was caused by someone smoking in bed, the fire service said.

Crews were called to Becketts Close, Maulden, Bedfordshire, at 05:37 GMT after the blaze broke out in the bedroom.

Bedfordshire Fire & Rescue Service said the heat and smoke were "extreme".

Crew Commander Ross Mann said: "Please take care when smoking and always ensure you put out your cigarettes completely and in a safe receptacle."

Fire crews said the heat was so "extreme" it damaged the adjoining bathroom

He said: "The heat was so extreme that it caused serious damage to the adjoining bathroom even though the fire did not enter the room. The hallway was also seriously damaged."

Firefighters remained at the house to cut away damaged property and damp down.

The woman who lived there was assisted by her relatives, the fire service said.

Firefighters were called to Becketts Close, Maulden, at 05:37 GMT

The fire service has warned people to take care when smoking

The fire brigade damped down the property