A cigarette has started a house fire in Chelmsford.

Firefighters were called to a fire in the first floor bedroom of a semi-detached house in Fifth Avenue, Chelmsford, at 4.14am.

When crews arrived at the property they reported the first floor was heavily smoke logged and smoke could be seen pouring out of the first floor window.

Chelmsford Station Officer Steve Harrison said: "The fire had started in one of the bedrooms. The occupant had woken up to find his sofa on fire, so left his bedroom and went downstairs. The occupant then attempted to extinguish the fire with some buckets of waters but as a result suffered with smoke inhalation.

"Firefighters treated the man with oxygen therapy and then left him in the care of the Ambulance Service.

"Firefighters wearing breathing apparatus entered the property and extinguished the fire quickly.

"The fire investigation showed that the fire had been caused by a cigarette left on the sofa."

"We want to advise everyone that if you have a fire in your home, get out, stay out and call 999. Don't try to tackle the fire yourself. Just get yourself and your family outside and close the doors behind you."