THE cause of a fire which completely destroyed a home in Benfleet has been confirmed as accidental.
Fire crews were called to the blaze, in Mornington Crescent, just after 7am on Saturday morning.
On arrival they found a semi-detached property was completely alight and the fire had started to spread to another home.
Following an investigation, Essex Fire Service say the fire started after a fireplace ignited a nearby carpet.
Fire Investigator John Lloyd said: "Firefighters have done a brilliant job in responding so professionally to this incident. Fortunately no-one was injured.
"However, the incident has shown the risks associated with using an open fire - if you aren't using a fireguard or keeping the door closed when using a logburner, it can easily spark and set fire to other nearby materials.
"Never leave an open fire unattended - make sure it is fully extinguished at night."
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Crews used an Aerial Ladder Platform in order to reach the loft area of the building more easily and tackle the fire from above.
At 7.39am the incident commander advised that the fire in the first home had been extinguished, but that the fire was continuing to burn in the second property.
By 8.20am on Saturday the fire was under control.
But the electricity supply to the area had to be suspended so crews could safely continue to battle the fire.
Residents were advised to avoid the area.
The first property has been completely destroyed.
One man suffered the effects of smoke inhalation and attended hospital as a precaution.
He is not believed to have been seriously hurt.
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