FIRE crews dealt with an incident this morning after someone’s flat became smoke-logged due to an overheating lamp.

A crew from Maldon and a crew from Chelmsford attended the scene at St Giles Crescent, Maldon after neighbours heard smoke alarms going off.

On arrival, crews reported that a first floor flat was heavily smoke logged and worked to extinguish the fire by 10.37am.

The fire was caused after a lamp, which was touching a blanket, overheated.

Chelmsford Crew Manager Nick Singleton said: “We’d like to highlight the importance of turning off lamps when you leave your home and making sure not to leave flammable material near lamps and lights.

"This incident shows how important it is to have working smoke alarms in your house.

“Although the homeowners were out at the time, their smoke alarms alerted neighbours to the fire and they were able to call 999.

"If you or someone you know hasn’t got working smoke alarms on every level of their property, we can fit them for free for you during a home safety visit."