A mum and her three children were lucky to be alive after a dangerously-placed candle set fire to their house.

Two fire engines were called to the blaze in the front first-floor bedroom of a terraced house in Rowenhall, Basildon.

The flames were quickly bought under control by two firefighters with breathing apparatus. But the bedroom was completely destroyed and all the upper floor of the house suffered smoke damage.

The property has been declared uninhabitable for the family, which includes an 18-month-old baby boy, until repairs can be carried out.

A fire chief said the fire was caused by the teenage daughter leaving a candle burning through the night on a cardboard box.

Acting Basildon fire station officer Brian Chamberlain said: "She told us she only woke up because of the heat from the fire - which is incredible.

"Normally, by the time a fire is going that strong, it's unlikely anyone would wake up, especially with the toxic fumes in the room. The fire was severe enough to start burning through the bedroom floor.

"I think they were definitely lucky to escape with their lives."

Damage - the house is now uninhabitable and furniture has been destroyed

Picture: CARL EVE

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