A DOG, a cat and a budgie were rescued from a house fire in Tilbury.

Crews from Grays and Orsett were called to Parker Avenue at about 9.35am on Saturday morning.

Firefighters found a house was completely smoke logged and the kitchen was alight.

No one was at home at the time of the fire and crews were alerted after neighbours heard smoke alarms sounding.

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Paul Dibble, Crew Manager at Orsett Fire Station, said: "Crews have done brilliantly to save these animals today and prevent the incident from becoming much more serious.

"The neighbours acted quickly to alert our Control teams when they heard the smoke alarm - once again demonstrating just how important they are and why we want all homes in Essex to be fitted with them.

"Without a working smoke alarm, this incident could have ended very differently."

The blaze is believe to have been caused accidentally.