A family of five made homeless by a fire two weeks before Christmas are refusing to let it dampen their festive mood.

Tracy Crosby, 46, of Church Street, Bocking, escaped the flames with her 17-year-old son Jack and armfuls of her daughter’s Christmas presents.

The drama happened at about 9.30am last Thursday when jewellery maker Tracy was alerted by smoke alarms.

She said: “We think the light in the kitchen had smouldered into the ceiling. We think it might have been going for a fair few hours before it really took hold."

When firefighters arrived the blaze had spread to a wall, leaving the whole of the first floor smoke-logged.

Mrs Crosby said although the family might not have a fixed home for Christmas Day she was just glad nobody was hurt.

Station officer Steve Wintrip said: “The positive thing is the working smoke alarm raised the alarm and got the occupants out of harm’s way.

“It just goes to show the importance of keeping your alarm well-maintained and in a working condition.”

See this week's Braintree Times for the full story.