A FAMILY of three has suffered smoke inhalation following a fire which went undetected as the property did not have a working smoke alarm.

Fire crews from Corringham and Basildon were called to a property in High Road, Fobbing this morning at 7.05am.

The fire had started on the hob which had been left on. The hob melted a pan which continued to smoulder and produce a lot of smoke.

The property did not have a working smoke alarm, so the family were not alerted to the fire until they woke up this morning.

When firefighters arrived at the property they found the kitchen full of thick black smoke.

They ventilated the property and fitted new smoke alarms before leaving at 8:15am. The family were left in the care of the Ambulance Service.

A spokesman for the service said: "Incidents like this show why it is so important to ensure you have a working smoke alarm.

"Essex County Fire and Rescue Service wants 100 per cent of homes in Essex to have a working smoke alarm."

To get a free smoke alarm and home safety call the fire service on 0300 303 0088 or visit www.essex-fire.gov.uk