FIRE Crews were called to a house in Paycock Road, Great Parndon after a homeowner heard their neighbour’s smoke alarm going off.

On arrival firefighters reported that there was a fire in the neighbour’s kitchen and the property was full of smoke.

Firefighters quickly worked to extinguish the fire by 9.40am (Saturday June 15th).

Watch Manager Daniel Byatt, Harlow Fire Station, said:

“The fire started after a heat lamp, which was being used as part of a tortoise enclosure, caught a cardboard box alight.

“Unfortunately the tortoise died during the fire but we were able to rescue a dog from the house.

“This incident shows how important it is to have working smoke alarms in your house.

“Although the homeowners were out at the time the smoke alarms alterted neighbours to the fire and they were able to call 999.”

The kitchen has suffered some fire damage and the house has sufered some smoke damage.