A warning about the dangers of removing batteries from smoke alarms has been given by fire chiefs.
Station officer at Chelmsford, Alan Cutter, was commenting after a house fire in the town.
Firefighters were called to a house in Perry Hill on Friday afternoon at 3.45pm.
Four young people were asleep on the third floor of the building when one of them was woken by flames coming from a television in the bedroom.
Mr Cutter said the woman who woke up got the others out before the fire service arrived.
"There was a smoke alarm, but the battery had been removed. With the possibility of a fire strike taking place, people should be more aware and vigilant.
"Fortunately the young girl woke up and got the others out, but it could have been far more serious."
Published Monday October 28, 2002
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