From Essex Fire and Rescue press releases..

must have been a big old blaze for 3 fire applieances to attend – and the cat also saved lots of other people as well….

I hope he/she gets the engraved food bowl some Fire Brigades issue to cats and dogs that save their owners..

Incident No: 5549
Date: 21-03-2007
Time: 03:57
Details: Couple saved by cat
Address: Wheatfield Way Chelmsford
Attendance: 2 x Chelmsford 1 x Great Baddow

A couple were saved from a serious flat fire thanks to their pet cat. The couple were completely unaware that a fire was raging in their living room until their pet cat made so much noise that it woke them up.
The smoke alarm batteries had been removed and so without the cat this couple may never have known about the blaze until it was too late.
When firefighters arrived the whole of the flat was involved in the fire and smoke was also affecting other flat in the block.
A total of 6 people were treated for the affects of smoke inhalation at the scene, one elderly neighbour had to be taken to hospital for further treatment.
An investigation into the cause of the blaze is underway.
The couple have been made homeless due to the extent of the damage to their home.
Update 09:45 We can confirm that the fire was started by a thermostatically controlled hot air blower. The heater had inadvertently been left on and over a period of time it ignited a nearby chair.