An elderly couple escaped from their home without injury after a bedroom went up in flames.

Bedroom blaze - firefighters at the scene Picture: MIKE CLARKE

The box room was gutted by the blaze in Philpott Avenue, Southend, just after 1pm yesterday.

Southend fire station officer Martyn Hodder said: "We believe the cause of the fire is from a carelessly discarded cigarette.

"The gentleman heard the fire alarm and went upstairs and tried to put out the flames with a bowl of water but was beaten back by smoke."

The first floor was left badly blackened.

One of the occupants, who did not wish to be named, said: "The help we received from the council and the fire brigade was so prompt. They were superb."

Published Wednesday, April 16, 2003

Brought to you by the Evening Echo