SIX fire crews have battled a blaze in a block of flats in Southend which left a man suffering from the effects of smoke inhalation. 

Essex firefighters were called to the fire at Barringtons, Sutton Road, Southend, at about 10.15pm last night (Thursday).

On arrival firefighters reported that several floors inside the building were smoke damaged and one man was suffering from smoke inhalation. 

During the incident firefighters advised people to stay in their flats, as is the normal procedure for most high-rise blocks of flats.

Crews worked quickly to extinguish it by 10.45pm.

Crews then used fans to clear smoke from the building. 

The casualty was left in the care of the Ambulance Service.

An investigation into the cause of the fire will be carried out on Friday.