Christmas tree lights 'cause' fire

The fire spread through the building

A firefighter has been taken to hospital after a fire at a house in Essex, which may have been caused by faulty Christmas tree lights.

Essex Fire and Rescue were called to the fire at a terraced house in Bulwark Road, Shoeburyness, on Thursday evening by callers concerned that people might be trapped inside.

But the two people inside the house managed to escape before the fire brigade arrived.

Firefighters found flames spreading through the whole building.

Two people inside the house managed to escape

One firefighter was injured while trying to get inside to see if anyone else was trapped.

He was taken to hospital where he was treated for head and neck burns.

It is believed the fire was caused by Christmas tree lights overloading a socket.

Essex Fire and Rescue Service expressed concern that the house was not fitted with a smoke alarm.

Assistant Divisional Officer Martyn Hodder said: "It is completely stupid in this day and age to be without a smoke alarm.

"It would have given us extra minutes and it would have given them extra time to escape, but also the fire would have been detected in its very early stages and possibly damage would have been averted."