A dog is believed to have caused a fire in a house on Christmas Eve after accidentally turning a hairdryer on.
Essex Fire Service said crews were called to Hockley on Saturday evening following reports of a smoke-filled house. Firefighters reported a smouldering blaze in a bedroom and quickly worked to extinguish it, believing it was caused by a dog who jumped on a bed and turned a hairdryer on, causing it to set the bedding alight.
The service has urged people to unplug electrical appliances when they are not being used.
