A HOUSE fire was started by a pile of logs next to a burner.

Crews were called to the fire, in Green Lane, Great Dunmow, at 1.26pm today.

On arrival firefighters reported that the house was 100% smoke logged and worked quickly to extinguish the fire by 2.25pm.

The cause of the fire has been recorded as accidental and was caused by logs, which had been stacked at the side of a log burner, and caught alight from heat transfer. They then rolled onto the floor and spread the fire.

Crews believe the fire had been smouldering for some time. The alarm was raised by a neighbour who had returned home to find his own property filled with smoke from the neighbouring house.

The house has suffered 100% smoke damage, slight fire damage and damage to the flooring, as it was necessary for crews to cut part of it away to ensure the fire was completely out and that pipes were not damaged.