A HOME has been left “uninhabitable” after a fire left a flat heavily smoke-logged in Colchester.

Firefighters from Colchester Fire Station and Harlow Fire Station rushed to a home in Nayland Road in Colchester last night at 10.43pm.

On arrival, firefighters reported there was a fire in the kitchen of a first-floor flat.

Firefighters extinguished the fire and believed it was caused by a tumble dryer.

The kitchen was badly fire-damaged and the flat was heavily smoke-logged, leaving it uninhabitable.

Firefighters are now highlighting the importance of working smoke alarms after attending a flat fire where there were no working smoke alarms.

Crew Manager Stephen Adamson from Colchester Fire Station said: “Thankfully the residents had been home to notice the fire but it’s really concerning to see people without working smoke alarms at home.

“We can’t emphasise it enough, please make sure you have working smoke alarms at home. They’re your first warning to a fire and can give you time to safely escape your home and call us quickly.

“If you or someone you know doesn’t have any working smoke alarms at home, we can fit them for free. Please get in touch with our team here."