A FAMILY of five has escaped a house fire during the night after being alerted by working smoke alarms.

Firefighters were called to Farnham Avenue, in Wickford, at around 2am after a fire in a bedroom.

The family managed to escape the house after smoke alarms went off during the night.

When crews arrived, they found the fire was burning in a third storey bedroom and managed to put the fire out by 2:55am.

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The bedroom was damaged by the fire, but fortunately the rest of the home escaped major harm.

It is believed the fire started accidentally.

Adam Barber, watch manager at Essex Fire, again said this highlights the importance of having working smoke alarms in your house.

He said: “Thanks to the working smoke alarms in this home, everyone was alerted as early as possible to the fire.

“Not only did that mean they could get out, stay out and call the Fire Service out, but it meant we could be there quickly to get the fire under control.

"Please - if you don't have working smoke alarms in your home then get in touch with us and we'll fit them for free.

“If you do have them, make sure you test them regularly."