AN elderly man was rescued by his "brave" neighbour who heard smoke alarms going off as the man's home filled with smoke.

Firefighters were called to High Road, Benfleet yesterday afternoon and reported that a home was heavily smoke logged. 

The elderly man living in the home had been been rescued by his neighbour before crews arrived after acting quickly as he was alerted to the blaze by the smoke alarms. 

Firefighters wearing breathing apparatus extinguished the fire after 4pm and believe it was caused by an item left on the hob - which was accidentally turned on - catching alight.

The kitchen was left smoke damaged. 

Watch Manager Darryl Worster, from Basildon Fire Station, said: “This incident really highlights why it’s so important to have working smoke alarms in your home. They’re not just there to alert you but to alert others around you to a fire in your home.

“A big thank you to the brave neighbour who acted quickly to rescue the man from the smoke logged house. 

“We want everyone in Essex to have working smoke alarms and can fit free smoke alarms to anyone who needs them. Find out more at essex-fire.gov.uk/book.”