Residents at a three-storey flat were evacuated in the early morning due to a fire.

Essex Fire and Rescue services were called to a flat fire in Woodland Grove, Epping, at around 6.30am today (June 21).

The fire, which started in a ground floor flat, spread to the roof of the three-storey building which also affected an adjacent block of flats.

Epping Forest Guardian:

Epping Forest Guardian:

Residents stood outside watching the fire

Crews were called from Harlow, Loughton, Waltham Abbey, Old Harlow, Basildon, Stanstead, Brentwood, Chelmsford and Chingford.

Firefighters instructed all residents to evacuate their flats.

The fire was extinguished at around 9.30 am, but firefighters remain at the scene and some road closures are in place as firefighters continue to dampen the building and extinguish hot spots.

Epping Forest Guardian:

The fire was extinguished this morning

An investigation into the cause of the fire will be carried out later today.