Residents of a seaside town have been warned to keep their doors and windows closed overnight following a huge blaze at a three-storey building.

Firefighters are warning that roads are likely to remain closed all night in areas surrounding the burning building in Westcliff-on-Sea, Essex.  Essex Fire and Rescue says that crews will remain overnight at the scene of the fire in Hamlet Court Road, between London Road and Anerley Road, which broke out shortly before 8.30pm last night (May 21).

Eight fire crews raced to the scene in the suburb of the city of Southend-on-Sea to find the roof and top floor completely alight. Group Manager Ben Turner said: “As it was unsafe for firefighters to enter the building, we have used two of our aerial ladder platforms from Chelmsford and Grays.

“Crews have worked really hard to get the fire under control and stop it from spreading.  The first floor, which was unoccupied flats, has suffered significant damage because the roof and second (top) floor partially collapsed.

“Although the ground floor did not suffer any fire damage, we are not sure of the extent of the smoke and water damage at this stage. We have worked closely with the ambulance service, Essex Police, local authority and utilities companies to resolve the incident.”

A man was treated for the effects of breathing in smoke and left in the care of the ambulance service.

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Essex Fire and Rescue is warning that road closures are likely to remain in place overnight.

Motorists have been advised to avoid the area, while residents have been told to keep their doors and windows closed due to smoke from the smouldering building.

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