RESIDENTS and a passer-by who acted quickly after discovering a blaze in the loft of their home have been praised. 

Firefighters flooded Cavell Road in Billericay after a family discovered smoke coming from the roof of their home on Tuesday afternoon.

Crews from Basildon and Billericay were called to the scene at 3.27pm where they found a fire in the loft and worked rapidly to prevent it from spreading further into the home and to neighbouring properties.

Gap - the impact of the blaze (Image: Essex Fire and Rescue Service)Watch Manager Rob Maclean from Billericay Fire Station said: “The residents were alerted by a passer-by who saw smoke coming from the roof.

"They then acted quickly to get the whole family out of the house and dial 999 which is exactly what you should do if you discover a fire in your home.

"Get everyone out as quickly and as safely as possible, stay out of the house and call 999.”

The fire was caused by an electrical fault, Essex Fire and Rescue Service has since confirmed.