A young woman had a lucky escape after a smoldering cigarette set her couch on fire while she was asleep.
Fortunately the woman, in her early 20s, woke at 5.30am today to get a glass of water and smelled burning on her way to the kitchen.
She quickly filled a bucket with water and threw it over the sofa, putting out the flames.
She then opened her front door to ventilate her third-floor flat in Caister Drive, Pitsea, before going outside and calling the fire brigade.
Basildon station officer Gary Hastings said: "There is no doubt she was lucky to wake when she did."
More in Monday's Echo
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereComments are closed on this article