Two people have been made homeless and pets killed after a fire ripped through a ground floor flat in Basildon.

Firefighters have issued a stark warning to residents after being called to the property on Long Riding at 7.19pm last night when a neighbour called 999 after hearing a smoke alarm go off.

Three crews who arrived at the scene found the property full of smoke and believed the couple were still inside. However, after sweeping the property and rescuing two cats, two snakes and two geckos it was discovered the pair had been out for the evening. 

Unfortunately, two budgies also living in the flat had died as a result of the fire.

Early investigations by Essex County Fire and Rescue service suggest the fire was caused by an unattended electrical charger or by discarded materials from cigarettes.

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Speaking after the incident Howard Midwood, Watch Manager at Basildon Fire Station, praised the firefighters who entered the property while warning residents of the dangers electrical chargers and smoking can have.   

He said: “Initially we thought there were people trapped but thanks to the bravery and skill of the crew entering the premises and the information we received from the control room, we could ascertain that nobody was in the property.

“The control room team really are the unsung heroes of our service. They do a great job.

He added: “I would like to take this opportunity to remind people not to leave items charging unattended and to dispose of smoking materials properly.”

Responding to Sunday night's events councillor Andrew Baggott, leader of Basildon Council, sent condolonces to the pair affected while prasing the fire service for their outstanding work. 

He said: "Our thoughts go out to the family. It's always a very traumatic and disruptive time to people's lives when an incident like that happens. The key thing is that no lives have been lost.

"The public always recognise the fire service. They are well loved in the community and they do a sterling job, sometimes at difficult times. 

He added: "Our thanks always got to our through to our heroes that actually go out and support communities in times like this."