A couple were lucky to escape unscathed when their mattress caught light.
Firefighters were called to the home in York Road, Southend, at 6.20am today.
The couple had gone to bed in the early hours and a cigarette which had been dropped in the bed started the fire.
They were woken by a smoke alarm in the hallway and managed to get out safely but the house was filled with smoke.
Firefighters are now warning people that smoking in bed can be extremely dangerous.
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