LIFESAVING firefighters based in Colchester have had a busy start to June.
Over the past two weeks alone, fire crews have worked to extinguish a fire which damaged two businesses in the town centre, before saving three dogs from a kitchen blaze.
Here are some of the incidents in Colchester handled by Essex Fire Service so far this month.
June 1
Firefighters worked to extinguish a fire which damaged a café and a convenience store in Colchester.
Four fire engines were at the scene in the Sir Isaac's Walk and St John’s Street area and the road was partially blocked as crews tackle the blaze.
At the time a fire spokesman said: “Firefighters are working to extinguish a fire affecting a cafe and a convenience store on St John's Street in Colchester.
“Our control team have received a number of calls reporting smoke relating to this incident."
June 1
Firefighters rushed to tackle flames which broke out in a family’s bedroom caused by a cigarette.
Crews from Colchester and Wivenhoe were called to the fire in John Kent Avenue, Colchester, when a mother discovered the fire in the bedroom of her home.
The fire service stated the blaze, which started at about 7.15pm, was caused by a cigarette.
On arrival, firefighters discovered the fire was in a bedroom to the rear of the property and worked swiftly to extinguish it by 7.40pm, before clearing the house of smoke.
Colchester watch manager Paul Champ has now reminded residents to ensure they have working smoke alarms in their home.
READ MORE >>> Firefighters tackle blaze in John Kent Avenue
He said: “We’re urging smokers to ensure their cigarettes are properly extinguished, especially if smoking indoors. A lit cigarette can cause fires which can spread quickly.
“The crews did a great job to contain the fire and prevent additional damage to the property.
“Fortunately no people were injured, but incidents like these really highlight how important it is to have working smoke alarms in your home.”
June 5
Firefighters rescued three dogs after a kitchen caught alight while no-one was home.
Two crews from Colchester attended the scene in Egret Crescent, Colchester, after neighbours spotted smoke billowing from the property and raised the alarm.
When the brigade arrived shortly before 9pm on Sunday the kitchen was completely alight and no one was home at the time.
Three dogs – one Doberman and two spaniels – were rescued and, fortunately, unharmed.
Colchester crew manager Darren Waite said: "Firefighters did brilliantly well to contain this fire to the kitchen of this home - when we arrived it was spreading quickly.
"The neighbours' quick actions in calling 999 immediately when they noticed smoke made all the difference. If they hadn't, it might easily have been much more serious - particularly for the three dogs involved."
READ MORE >>> Firefighters rescue three dogs after kitchen catches fire while no-one was home
"This incident demonstrates once again that leaving materials on your hob, whether it's cooking items, washing, tea towels - or as we saw in this case, rubbish - is incredibly dangerous.
“If the hob is accidentally left on or turned on, then whatever is on it will quickly catch fire. Please, don't take the risk and never use your hob as a storage area."
The fire was extinguished by 9.35pm with its cause recorded as accidental.
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