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.
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.
The fire was extinguished this morning
An investigation into the cause of the fire will be carried out later today.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here