FIREFIGHTERS were left "surprised" after tackling two chimney fires back to back... both of which did not have smoke alarms.

Members of Colchester's fire service were called to a semi-detached bungalow in Rectory Road on Sunday at 9.18pm.

The crew extinguished the home’s chimney fire with a specialist item called a chimney rod.

Once the blaze was extinguished, firefighters also fitted a smoke alarm after discovering the property did not have one.

However, when the team was heading back to the station at 10.13pm, crew members spotted a semi-detached house in London Road which also had a chimney fire.

Gazette: Area - The start of Rectory RoadArea - The start of Rectory Road (Image: Google)

Gazette: Colchester - a section of London RoadColchester - a section of London Road (Image: Google Maps)

The crew used a ladder to climb up to the property’s roof and reach the chimney, allowing them to successfully stop the fire.

Similarly to the last property, the house did not have a smoke alarm fitted either, so one was installed that night.

Essex County Fire and Rescue Service crew manager Dave Farrant, said: "It was pure chance that we spotted the second chimney fire on our way back.

“We were surprised to find that neither property had working smoke alarms. 

"It's so important to have at least one smoke alarm on every level of your home, to give you an early warning to a fire and give you and your family time to get out. 

"As well as fitting the alarms, we gave the residents advice about carbon monoxide safety and the type of wood to use in a log burner."

If you or someone you know doesn’t have working smoke alarms at home, it is advised to contact Essex County Fire & Rescue by visiting essex-fire.gov.uk/book or calling 0300 303 0088.