FIRE crews were called to a blaze in Basildon, which left a woman in the care of the ambulance service as she returned to her smoke filled home.

Basildon and Corringham firefighters were called to a house in Abbey Path at about 4.30pm, and arrived they finding the first bedroom on fire.

Firefighters entered the house wearing breathing apparatus and managed to extinguish the fire 25 minutes later. The bedroom has been badly damaged by the fire, and the rest of the house has been left smoke damaged.

The cause of the fire has been recorded as accidental.

The woman, who suffered smoke inhalation, was left in the care of the Ambulance Service.

An Essex Fire and Rescue Spokesman has urged residents to reduce potential fire damage to their home by shutting all internal doors before going to bed or heading out.