AN elderly couple had to be give oxygen after a fire broke out in their flat.

The couple, who are in their eighties, were in their home in Poplar Court, off Greensward Lane, Hockley, when the fire broke out, filling their sheltered accommodation flat with smoke.

Fire crews from Hawkwell and Rayleigh went to the scene after being alerted by Careline.

The smoke alarms in the flat were activated which link directly to alert the care company.

Firefighters wearing breathing masks went into the flat at about 3.53pm on Friday to find the woman in the bathroom and the man in bed.

They led the couple to safety and gave them oxygen while waiting for ambulance service paramedics to arrive.

The fire is believed to have started after an unattended chip pan fryer overheated.

The fire was put out by 4.30pm.