A FAMILY of five has been left homeless after a make-up mirror causes a fire in south Essex.

The Essex Fire Service was called to a bedroom fire at a maisonette in Brook Drive, Wickford.

Two crews from Basildon attended to scene at around 7:58am this morning, where they found a second-floor bedroom completely alight.

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Essex Fire say the blaze was caused by a make-up mirror that was facing the sun.

The fire was fully extinguished by 8.44am.

Mark Blakebrough, watch manager, said: “The fire was caused by a make-up mirror that was facing the sun and almost certainly reflected onto the curtains, which ignited.

“Although this type of incident is rare, please make sure your mirrors and other reflective objects are out of direct sunlight.  

“Thankfully, the property had working smoke alarms which alerted the family, and they did exactly the right thing; they got out, stayed out and called 999.

“Crews did a brilliant job of containing the fire to the bedroom.

“However, there was extensive smoke damage to the maisonette which has left the family-of-five temporarily homeless.

“I would like to thank the Red Cross who were on the scene quickly to provide support to the family.”