Southend firefighters have issued a stern warning to smokers and drinkers this Christmas after a woman fell asleep with her lit cigarette.

The 65-year-old from Warrior Square in Southend is believed to have been drinking before going to bed on Friday night, fire crews said.

They were called to the maisonette just after midnight on Saturday after neighbours saw smoke billowing from the building.

The woman was led to safety by firefighters while other crew members put out the fire which had engulfed her bed.

Andy Beale, station officer at Southend fire station, said: "She had a cigarette in bed with her and had fallen asleep. She appears to have been drinking which caused her to fall asleep and she is very lucky."

Despite inhaling smoke, the woman refused to go to hospital by ambulance, but was advised by the crew to go to her doctor.

Mr Beale added: "At this feative time it is an increased hazard because people are drinking. Of course it is more dangerous if you smoke as well."

Firefighters were overloaded with calls on Saturday night, many of which are being treated as suspicious.

They were called to a car fire in Hamstel Road at 9pm after an electrical fault had caused a car to burst into flames. They were then called to a block of toilets in Lucy Road at 11.50pm where toilet rolls had been set alight.

Bins were then set alight at a block of flats in Balmoral Road, Westcliff. Finally a call was received to a derelict building in Stromness Place where dumped furniture had been ignited.

Published Monday December 17, 2001