A dog has died and a family have been left homeless after an electrical fault caused a kitchen fire.

Firefighters were called to Jeffery's Road, Cressing shortly after 10am this morning (January 15) after neighbours heard smoke alarms going off in a first floor flat.

On arrival, crews reported that the hallway to the block of flats was smoke logged and firefighters wore breathing apparatus to locate the flat.

Firefighters worked to extinguish the fire by 10.49am.

The flat was badly smoke damaged and the family have been left homeless.

The cause of the fire was accidental after an electrical fault in a fridge freezer.

Watch manager from Braintree Fire Station, Paul Burder, said: "This incident highlights the importance of having working smoke alarms in your home.

We want to encourage everyone to check they have a working smoke alarm on every level of their home.

Make sure to test your smoke alarms weekly.

"If you or someone you know doesn't have working smoke alarms at home, we can fit them for free during a home safety visit.

To book a visit go to essex-fire.gov.uk/book or call 0300 303 0088.