A SMOKER has vowed never to light up in bed again after being rescued from a fire in her home in the early hours of the morning.

Josephine Morrell, 64, had to be brought to safety from the smoke-filled bedroom of her home in Torrington Gardens in Debden, after she dropped a cigarette butt onto a bag of rubbish.

Three fire engines went to the scene in the quiet cul-de-sac, just behind Debden Broadway, at around 12.20am on Christmas Eve (December 24). The fire was extinguished by 1am.

Mrs Morrell said: “I was lying in bed but I wasn't asleep, I was reading and was getting into a good book.

“I dropped a cigarette butt onto a plastic bag of rubbish, and it caught fire and went up really quickly.

“There was so much smoke I couldn't even see the phone. In the end my neighbour managed to call the fire service out.

"It was horrifying."

Mrs Morrell was treated for smoke inhalation at the scene by the East of England Ambulance Service, before being taken to Whipps Cross University Hospital in Leytonstone.

She was released from hospital and returned home later that day.

When asked whether she would carry on smoking in bed, Mrs Morrell said: "Good God, no. I won't be making that mistake again."