Firefighters tackled a blaze in a maisonette in Chadwell St Mary.
Just after 3.20pm today, three crews were called to the property in Felicia Way after a tumble dryer caught light.
The first floor of the flat was alight and the rest was heavily smokelogged.
Crews from Orsett and Grays worked to extinguish the blaze and some donned breathing apparatus to tackle the fire.
The fire was fully extinguished just before 4pm.
Crews remained on scene clearing smoke from the maisonette for a short time afterwards.
The residents have been left homeless.
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 The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.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