A PATIO heater caught fire after a faulty hose led to a gas leak.

Two fire crews from Rayleigh were called to a house on Main Road, Hockley, at about 7pm to extinguish the heater, which was well alight by the time they arrived.

They used a hose reel to put out the fire and thermal imaging equipment to ensure it was fully out.

Leaving the address about half an hour later, firefighters put the cause of the fire down to a faulty hose, which leaked gas that was then ignited by the device’s own heat.

No-one was hurt and, excepting the heater, no damage was caused.