A neighbour called the fire brigade after seeing smoke pouring from a bungalow.
Crews from Rayleigh Weir were called to Cherry Close in Hockley at 10.50am today.
The neighbour heard a smoke alarm going off and spotted smoke coming from the windows.
Firefighters wearing breathing apparatus used one hose to tackle the fire.
The fire was fully extinguished by 11.20am.
Crews used a fan to clear smoke from the property.
Divisional Officer Terry Povey said: "The fact that neighbours heard the smoke alarm and alerted us to this fire shows how important a working smoke alarm is.
"They sound at the first sign of fire giving anyone in a property time to get out. This incident shows that if they are loud enough to alert people in a neighbouring property smoke alarms will leave you and your family in no doubt that a fire has broken out in your home, even if you are sleeping."
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