Two children are lucky to be alive after a fire started in their home as they lay asleep in bed.
The youngsters and their mother managed to escape from the blaze, thought to have been caused by a cigarette, but were left homeless.
Witnesses reported the fire in the early hours of the morning after it started in the front bedroom of the end terrace in Hamlet Drive in Greenstead, Colchester.
Sub-officer Brian Harper, of Colchester fire station's red watch, said fire crews were called out at about 3.10am on Saturday.
He said as they headed to the scene they were told people, including children, might be trapped inside.
But when they reached the house the two children and their mother had escaped unhurt and were "lucky to have got out alive".
Crews battled their way upstairs, forcing their way into the room to ensure no-one was inside.
Published Monday August 9, 2004
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