A FAULTY kitchen appliance burst into flames causing a flat inferno before firefighters rushed to the rescue.

Two crews from Colchester Fire Station were called to Chinook, in Highwoods, Colchester, shortly before 9.30am on Monday.

They attended the scene after receiving reports of smoke billowing out of the windows of a first floor flat.

Upon arrival the fast-acting firefighters entered the property wearing breathing apparatus with a view if rescuing anyone who may have been trapped inside.

After searching the flat, however, no residents were located within the building and the fire was subsequently extinguished by 9.53am.

A spokesman for the Essex Fire and Rescue Service said: “Crews were called to a flat fire in Chinook after an electrical fault caused a fire.

“Crews searched the property and thankfully nobody was inside. Crews believe the fire was caused by a faulty appliance in the kitchen.”

Representatives from the Essex Fire and Rescue Service have now urged residents to check their kitchen equipment regularly.

To find out more information or to register an appliance in order to be alerted should it be recalled over safety concerns visit registermyappliance.org.uk.

Alternatively, head to essex-fire.gov.uk for further advice and information.