A dog is believed to have caused a house fire on Christmas Eve after accidentally turning a hairdryer on.
Essex Fire Service said crews raced to a home in Hockley following reports of a smoke-filled house.
Firefighters found a smouldering blaze in a bedroom and quickly extinguished it.
They believe 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.
Watch Manager Gary Shinn said: "The homeowner was out and came back to find her house full of smoke.
"We believe the fire started because a hairdryer was left plugged in and on a bed.
"We think the dog may have then jumped on the bed a turned the hairdryer on, eventually causing it to catch alight to the bedding and mattress.
"Once you've finished with any electrical appliances such as hair dryers and straighteners please take a moment to unplug them.
"The homeowner wouldn't have thought for one moment her dog would turn on the hairdryer, but unplugging something just gives you that peace of mind."
The dog was waiting by the front door when the homeowner returned, and both were treated for smoke inhalation.
Earlier this year, we reported how a dog managed to turn on a kitchen stove and start a fire.
The large dog managed to lift his two front legs onto the kitchen top and switch on the gas hob with its paws.
Moments later, the pet pooch wandered into the hallway and the cooker burst into flames at the house in Missouri, USA.
Emergency services were baffled when they arrived at the scene and found only two rescue dogs inside, reports UPI.
An investigation was launched into the cause of the fire which started while the dogs' owners were away.
Security footage taken from the living area later revealed how one of its four-legged occupants was behind the blaze.
