Firefighters waded through acrid smoke to extinguish a fire at sheltered accommodation.

The fire started in the bedroom of a first floor flat in Gunters Mead, Oxshott, at 1.50am on Saturday, June 23.

When the fire crew from Esher station arrived, three residents were on the landing of the building and had to be led to safety.

Firefighters quickly discovered a pile of material which was smouldering on a chair in the bedroom.

A spokesman from Esher station said: “It appears that an electric blanket was folded on the chair and was switched on.

“This is the second fire in a sheltered accommodation building during the past nine months during the night. “A previous fire at Gibson Court, Hinchley Wood, claimed the life of one resident.”

Blue watch from Esher fire station is trying to visit as many sheltered accommodation homes as possible to give fire safety advice.

Call the fire station on 020 8398 2654 if you would like fire crews to give a talk at yours.

Esher fire station is set to lose its night cover next year as part of Surrrey’s public safety plan.