A WOMAN and her two cats were rescued from a bungalow fire after a passer-by heard the sound of a smoke alarm.

Firefighters were called at 12.10am today to a fire in Spalding Close, Braintree.

The passer-by also flagged down a police car after calling the fire service and police officers bravely entered the smoke-logged property to rescue a woman.

She was left in the care of the ambulance service.

Crews from Braintree and Halstead fire stations rushed to the scene and on arrival they reported the kitchen was heavily smoke logged, with a fire coming from the grill.

Crews wearing breathing apparatus searched the property for the woman’s two cats.

They were both found unharmed.

Firefighters extinguished the blaze by 12:43am.

Firefighter Claire Speed, of Braintree fire station, said: “This incident highlights why it’s so important to have working smoke alarms at home.

“They don’t just alert you to a fire, they also alert neighbours and anyone passing by.

"If for any reason you can’t hear them, they can alert others to call for help.

“Please make sure you have at least one working smoke alarm on every level of your home.

“If you or someone you know hasn’t got smoke alarms, we can fit them for free. Get in touch at essex-fire.gov.uk/book or call 0300 303 0088.”