A elderly couple have been left homeless after a fire ripped through their home.

Fire crews were called to a house fire in Fifth Avenue, Chelmsford, where they reported smoke was pulsating from the first floor front window and that the fire was in a bedroom.

Crews, who were called at about 1pm yesterday, worked to extinguish the fire by 1.56pm.

After investigation, firefighters determined that the fire was caused by the sun's reflection hitting a mirror and causing an intense beam of heat to catch fire to nearby curtains or clothing.

The fire then spread to the wardrobe.

The first floor of the house has suffered both fire and smoke damage.

Station Officer Stephen Harrison said: "To minimise the risk of fire it's important to make sure mirrors and other reflective objects such as crystal and glass ornaments should be kept out of direct sunlight.

"It's also vital to make sure that you have a working smoke alarm on every level of your home."

Essex County Fire and Rescue Service want 100 per cent of homes in Essex to have working smoke alarms.

If you, or someone you know, do not have a working smoke alarm on every level of your home, contact us for a home safety visit which includes fitting smoke alarms completely free of charge.

Call 0300 303 0088 or apply online.