A working smoke alarm is being credited with saving lives after a serious house fire broke out on Fencepiece Road in Chigwell this afternoon. The fire, which affected the roof and first floor of a semi-detached home, prompted a large emergency response from both Essex County Fire and Rescue Service and the London Fire Brigade.
The alarm was raised at 3.14pm and crews from Loughton, Basildon, Grays, and five units from London Fire Brigade, including an Aerial Ladder Platform, responded swiftly to the scene.
Blaze Severely Damages Two Properties
Crews arrived to find a fully developed fire that had engulfed the upper floors and roof space of one property, with smoke and water damage affecting the adjoining house.
Station Manager Howard Midwood praised the joint response:
“Crews from Essex and London worked really well together to get what was a fully developed fire under control.”
“Unfortunately, one house has been severely damaged by fire and the adjoining property has also suffered smoke and water damage. Our thoughts go out to the two families affected.”
Occupants Alerted by Smoke Alarm
Importantly, the occupants were able to escape unharmed, thanks to a functioning smoke alarm that alerted them to the danger in time.
“This shows the importance of having working smoke alarms to keep your family safe,” Midwood added.
Crews are expected to remain at the scene into the evening, checking for hotspots and ensuring the fire is fully extinguished.
Investigation Underway
A fire investigation will be carried out to determine the cause of the fire, which remains unknown at this time.
Essex Fire and Rescue is urging residents to ensure they have working smoke alarms. Free home fire safety visits can be booked online at essex-fire.gov.uk/book or by calling 0300 303 0088.
