Two people were saved after firefighters dramatically rescued residents from a flaming building in Corringham last night.

Firecrews arrived at the scene of the blaze at about 1am to find people crowding onto their balconies to escape the flames.

Terrified residents were trapped on the upstairs floors after a fire had broken out on the ground floor on Gordon Road.

The dramatic rescue saw firemen carry the terrified residents down ladders.

Only two people were hurt, and were treated at the scene for smoke inhalation.

Control operators, who kept people calm on telephones, were later praised for their role, as well as the bravery of the firemen.

Station Officer Geoff Wheal said: "The fire had broken out the bedroom of a ground floor flat and it caused smoke logging throughout the building.

"When we arrived there were people on every balcony, they had come out to escape the smoke.

"We used ladders to rescue two and assured the rest that they were safe and we would get them out as soon as we could.

"Crews did an excellent job tackling the fire as quickly as they did. It is thanks to the good work by crews and our Control Operators that this incident ended with no one seriously injured."

The fire was extinguished by 1.15am using two hose jets.

Firefighters also searched the rest of the block of six flats for residents after smoke logging spread through the building.

All other residents escaped without injury.

It is not known how the fire was started but there will be a full investigation.

Three firecrews attended the scene.

More to follow.