A candle falling onto Christmas wrapping paper caused a fire which devastated the lower ground floor of a house in Ongar High Street on Tuesday night.

Firefighters from Ongar and Brentwood rushed to Roden Cottage - a redbrick timber-framed home next to the entrance to Stanley Place - after the householder Mrs June Powell dialled 999.

Sub Officer Russell Cottis of Ongar Green Watch confirmed that by the time his officers reached the scene at 9.34pm, Mrs Powell - who is married to David Powell of Powell's Tyres - was safely outside, along with her young daughter.

He added that Mr Powell, who is well-known in the community through his involvement in the Ongar Town Partnership and Ongar Cricket Club, had been out for the evening at the time of the fire.

Mr Cottis said that the blaze, which began in the front room, had been "very intense." He praised Mrs Powell's prompt action which saved the lives of both herself and her daughter.

Firefighters broke the front window to provide ventilation and access to help fight the flames.

Having brought the fire under control, they were able to leave the scene by 11.45pm, returning at intervals during the night to check for any flare-ups.

Mr Cottis said that the downstairs frontroom had been devastated by the flames; other rooms were severely damaged by smoke.

He advised householders to take note of safety warnings over seasonal decorations. "People should make sure that any lit candles are securely fitted in candle holders and are not left unattended."

Converted for the new archive on 19 November 2001. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.