A woman in her 80s was saved by her neighbour from a flat fire - after he heard her smoke alarm. 

The fire, which broke out yesterday after a cigarette set fire to the bed the woman was in, happened at 2.55pm in Vigerons Way, Chadwell St Mary. 

Firefighters were called through the Careline system alarm to reports of the fire, with one crew from Orsett and two from Grays arriving to extinguish the fire in the lounge. 

The neighbour was alerted to the fire by the smoke alarm and ran to the woman's aid, as she suffers mobility issues.

Watch manager Kevin Smith, Orsett Fire Station, said: "We are so thankful to the neighbour for what he did; on hearing the alarm he checked to see what was happening and saw flames. He then entered the property through patio doors and found the resident, who has mobility issues, on a bed in the living room.

"It was the bed that was on fire, so I'm in no doubt if the neighbour hadn't taken immediate action, the woman would have been seriously injured or worse.

"The incident shows the importance of having working smoke alarms in your home. Even if you're not home or you're unable to act, it will alert others to the first sign of fire.

"We’d also urge smokers to make sure their cigarettes are properly stubbed out. This incident started when a cigarette set the bed on fire."

The living room has suffered some smoke and fire damage.

Both the resident and the neighbour were treated for smoke inhalation at the scene.