A DOG walker spotted smoke billowing from a property on Boxing Day morning and promptly dialled 999 - triggering a fire service call-out to put out a kitchen fire. 

Four fire crews were called to a house in Rectory Road, Orsett, at 7.05am this morning after a dog walker noticed smoke coming from the property and called 999.

When they arrived, firefighters reported that the house was completely smoke logged and there was a fire in the kitchen.

Station manager, Mark Elliott, said: "We're not sure how long the fire had been burning as no one was at home and there were no smoke alarms going off. It wasn't until a passerby noticed smoke that we were called.

"Once our crews arrived they quickly stopped the fire spreading, extinguished it and ventilated the property.

"This just shows how important it is to have working smoke alarms on every level of your home - even if you're out at the time of a fire they are likely to alert anyone nearby more quickly."

The house has been left with smoke and fire damage.

Following an investigation, the cause of the fire has been recorded as accidental.