Get the free Morning Headlines email for news from our reporters across the world Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email
A tortoise was rescued after starting a fire by knocking over a heat lamp on Christmas Day.
The 45-year-old pet was rescued from the blaze at a house in Essex .
He had set his bedding on fire after toppling the lamp, according to fire officials.
Essex County Fire and Rescue Service said neighbours alerted them after hearing the smoke alarm going off.
The house was smoke logged but the fire was contained to only one room when crews arrived, and the blaze was quickly put out.
States of emergency declared as bushfires rage across AustraliaShow all 15 1 /15States of emergency declared as bushfires rage across Australia States of emergency declared as bushfires rage across Australia A firefighter works on a bushfire believed to have been sparked by a lightning strike that has ravaged an area of over 2,000 hectares in northern New South Wales state
AFP via Getty Images
States of emergency declared as bushfires rage across Australia A dehydrated and injured Koala receives treatment at the Port Macquarie Koala Hospital
AFP via Getty Images
States of emergency declared as bushfires rage across Australia A water tanker airplane drops fire retardant on a bushfire in Harrington, New South Wales
EPA
States of emergency declared as bushfires rage across Australia Firefighters tackle a bushfire to save a home in Taree, 350km north of Sydney
AFP via Getty Images
States of emergency declared as bushfires rage across Australia A kangaroo is seen by the burnt remains of a vintage car in Torrington
Getty Images
States of emergency declared as bushfires rage across Australia Photo taken on November 9, 2019 shows bushfires taken from a plane in over north eastern New South Wales
AFP via Getty Images
States of emergency declared as bushfires rage across Australia Andrew Mackenzie surveys the damage around his home in Torrington
Getty Images
States of emergency declared as bushfires rage across Australia Fire and Rescue NSW firefighters conduct property protection as a bushfire burns close to homes on Railway Parade in Woodford NSW
AP
States of emergency declared as bushfires rage across Australia Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison (L) comforts 85-year-old resident Owen Whalan at an evacauation centre in Taree 350km north of Sydney
AFP via Getty Images
States of emergency declared as bushfires rage across Australia Fire burns at Bolivia Hill in Glen Innes
Getty Images
States of emergency declared as bushfires rage across Australia A resident puts out small fires as he rides his motorcycle in Old Bar, New South Wales
EPA
States of emergency declared as bushfires rage across Australia A fire rages in Bobin, 350km north of Sydney on November 9, 2019, as firefighters try to contain dozens of out-of-control blazes
AFP via Getty Images
States of emergency declared as bushfires rage across Australia Construction workers speak as smoke haze drifts over Sydney, Australia
EPA
States of emergency declared as bushfires rage across Australia A vintage Jaguar car sits in ruins after a bushfire destroyed a property in Old Bar, 350km north of Sydney
AFP via Getty Images
States of emergency declared as bushfires rage across Australia A fire rages in Bobin, 350km north of Sydney
AFP via Getty Images
Gary Wain, watch manager at Great Dunmow Fire Station, said: “The fire started after the tortoise knocked a heat lamp on to its bedding, which then caught alight.”
He said: “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.”
Essex County Fire and Rescue Service said on Facebook : “This 45-year-old tortoise might look angry but it’s his lucky day.
“Our on-call crews left their families to go extinguish the fire and gave him a very merry Christmas.”
Mr Wain said the incident highlighted the importance of having smoke alarms on every floor.
A tortoise recently caught the attention of emergency services in Germany while trying to cross a busy road .
The creature, believed to have been around 70, forced motorists to slam on their brakes to avoid running it over, causing chaos on the road.
Additional reporting by Press Association
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies