Fire crews were called to a blaze started when a resident tried to ignite a log fire with petrol- inside a house.
The incident, in London Road, Chelmsford, started at 4.40pm on Saturday.
Although the blaze was extinguished by 5.02pm the house was left badly smoke-damaged Stuart Hay, Watch Manager at Chelmsford Fire Station, said: "It appears that this fire was caused accidentally by the occupant of this property, after petrol was used to try to ignite a log fire.
"When the fire ignited, the petrol can also caught light, along with a nearby children's car toy. Because the toy was made of plastic, the flames created a large amount of smoke very quickly.
"Fortunately, the homeowner reacted well and used cold water to control the fire, and stop it spreading any further. Our crews then worked efficiently to extinguish the remaining flames soon after arriving at the scene."
One person was taken to Broomfield Hospital by the ambulance service after suffering from smoke inhalation.
The cause of the fire has been recorded as accidental.
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