A woman escaped from her burning living room after the television exploded into flames.

Rita Stocks had just got up and left the room when an electrical fault caused the TV to blow up, setting light to furniture and fittings.

She rushed out of her ground floor maisonette in Hedge Drive, Shrub End, Colchester, to escape the flames and raised the alarm with an upstairs neighbour, at about 1.20pm on Wednesday.

The elderly neighbour, who did not wish to be named, said: "She just flew out of her house - she couldn't do anything.

"I was lucky - if the fire brigade had not been here so quickly there is no telling what might have happened. I suffer from asthma and was just panicking."

Two fire engines from Colchester were sent to the blaze. Station Officer Dave Bridgman said: "The lady went out of the room and the TV blew up. Fire quickly enveloped the whole of the room.

"There were copious amounts of black smoke issuing. She withdrew from the house and was obviously shocked by the extent of the fire."

Mrs Stocks and her husband Peter, who was at work at the time, spent last night with relatives and were due to return on Thursday to clear up.

By Stephen Rawlins

Reporter's e-mail: stephen_rawlins@thisisessex.co.uk

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