A mother and her two young children had a lucky escape after one of the youngsters started a blaze while playing with a cigarette lighter.
Southend fire crews went to a house in Dalmatia Road, Southend, shortly before 5pm yesterday after the woman fell asleep while looking after her two children aged three and four.
Southend fireman Steve Deal said: "She was staying at her mum's house for the day and dozed off. She woke up and found the older lad had set fire to curtains in a conservatory at the back of the house.
"She picked up the kids and got out of the house. The plastic roof of the conservatory was damaged and there was some smoke damage but it was not a massive fire, they were very lucky.
"There was no smoke alarm in the house. This is yet another incident that serves to remind people of the danger of not having an alarm and also of leaving lighters and matches where children can reach them."
Published Wednesday October 16, 2002
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