FIREFIGHTERS rescued a hamster which was left inside a smoke-filled house after a dishwasher caught fire.

Two crews were called to a large kitchen fire at a home in Spindle Beams, Rochford, at 7.45pm on Thursday.

Southend station officer Lee Burling said: "The family heard a large bang and a popping sound coming from their kitchen so they went to see what it was.

"Their smoke alarm then alerted and they saw flames coming from the dishwasher. They immediately got out of their house and called 999 which was exactly the right thing to do.

"When we arrived we found the whole house completely full of smoke. Firefighters entered the building and extinguished the fire.

"Crews also rescued a hamster which was in the smoke logged house. The kitchen has been badly damaged by the fire but luckily it didn't spread to any other room in the house."

Essex Fire and Rescue Service is encouraging all households in the county to fit a working smoke alarm.

For a free alarm and home safety visit, call 0300 303 0088 or visit essex-fire.gov.uk.