A desk lamp is believed to have sparked a fire which left the bedroom of a first-floor flat severely smoke-logged.

Departing - fire tenders leave the scene of the blaze in Ken Cooke Court, Colchester Picture: STEVE BRADING

Firefighters in breathing apparatus tackled the blaze in Ken Cooke Court, Colchester, yesterday afternoon.

A smouldering mattress was thrown from the window of a child's bedroom as they put out the flames.

Station officer Costa Olymbios said the fire may have been caused by a lamp left on in the girl's room.

It is believed to have ignited clothes and a towel near it.

Mr Olymbios said the room suffered 100 per cent smoke damage, but the quick-thinking owner prevented further damage by taking the correct action.

"She smelt the smoke while she was decorating in the kitchen. She wet a towel and put it along the base of the closed bedroom door, which stopped the smoke from spreading."

Published Friday January 16, 2004

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