Firefighters investigating a blaze which left three children in hospital today revealed there were two smoke alarms in the house -- but neither had a battery inside.
Fire crews battled thick smoke and flames at the house in Westborough Road, Westcliff, after a fire was started by a blocked storage heater at around 5am on Sunday.
Two adults in the house were not injured but three youngsters had to be treated at Southend Hospital for the effects of smoke inhalation.
Station Officer Mick Watton at Leigh fire station said: "It is not just enough to have smoke detectors fitted, you have to make sure they are working properly."
Published Tuesday, March 5, 2002
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