Firefighters have rescued a tortoise from a house fire after it knocked over a lamp and set its own bedding on fire.
Neighbours heard the fire alarm of the house in Duton Hill, Essex, near Stanstead Airport, going off on Christmas day.
They called 999 and firefighters rushed to the scene.
The emergency service workers found the home full of smoke and a fire in one of the rooms.
Upon extinguishing the blaze, firefighters found the 45-year-old tortoise was to blame.
Watch Manager Gary Wain, Great Dunmow Fire Station, said: "The fire started after the tortoise knocked a heat lamp onto its bedding, which then caught alight.
"This incident shows just how important it is to have smoke alarms on every level of your home - even if you're not home they will alert anyone close by to the first sign of fire.
"This tortoise has had a very lucky Christmas Day - he is 45 years young and will now hopefully continue to live a long and happy life thanks to working smoke alarms."
