Bradfield man climbs out of upstairs window to escape fire

The fire was largely contained to the cottage's living room

A man escaped from a fire in his home by climbing out an upstairs window.

The fire broke out in a cottage in Crow Hall Lane, Bradfield, near Manningtree, at about 21:45 BST on Thursday.

Essex County Fire and Rescue Service said the man's smoke alarms went off and when he opened the bedroom door he was confronted by smoke, so he put a towel against the door and jumped out the window onto a flat roof.

The service stressed it was important to have an escape plan in case of fire.

Crews managed to contain the fire largely to the living room and prevent it spreading to the rest of the house.

The cause of the blaze was accidental, the service said.

Crew manager Norman Gooch said: "The man was able to escape unharmed and by shutting the upstairs doors, he also prevented a lot of smoke damage upstairs.

"Once you're out of the house, stay out and call us as quickly as you can."