FIREFIGHTERS raced to a house in Tilbury after a chip pan caught fire.

Crews arrived at the terraced house in Milton Gardens at 6.18pm yesterday, to find it heavily smoke logged.

The fire broke out after the owner, a 73-year-old woman, accidentally left her hob on after she finished cooking her dinner.

She was alerted to the fire, which had spread to some of the kitchen units, after her smoke alarm went off.

Sub officer Kevin Hercock, from Orsett Fire Station, said the incident shows how vital smoke alarms are.

He said: "The woman was in the living room when the fire broke out and her smoke alarm alerted her that something was wrong.

“When she discovered the fire, she called 999 and got out of the property safely and waited for us to arrive.

“She did exactly the right thing.

“Incidents like this show how important smoke alarms are.”

Mr Hercock added: “ It is vital that smoke alarms are properly fitted and regularly tested.

“Relying on a passer-by to warn of a fire is just not the best way to protect you and your family. A smoke alarm will sound at the first sign of fire, day or night.

“Just three breaths of toxic smoke can be enough to kill if you are sleeping when a fire breaks out.”

The fire was out by 6.39pm.

Essex Fire and Rescue can offers home fire safety visits to vulnerable members of the community, for more information, call 0845 6012495.