Firefighters have battled to save a family from a sudden bedroom fire - owing their safety to the usage of smoke alarms.

Crews were called to the house fire in Falbro Crescent, Hadleigh at 3.22pm, with firefighters finding the upstairs bedroom was heavily smoke logged.

The fire is believed to have been started by an improperly extinguished cigarette. 

Watch manager Grant Jones from Leigh Fire Station said: “If you’re a smoker, please make sure all cigarettes are properly stubbed out before you leave them as we often see embers start fires. 

“We’d like to highlight why it’s so important to have working smoke alarms, the family were all downstairs and were able to safely exit the house when they heard the smoke alarms going off.

"Make sure you’ve got at least one working smoke alarm on every level of your home and that you test them regularly.

“If you or someone you know doesn’t have working smoke alarms at home, we can fit them for free during a free home fire safety visit.

"Search Essex Fire Book to book your visit.”