FIREFIGHTERS are on the scene of a fire in a flat in south Essex, as crews evacuate the block.

Essex Fire were called to reports of a flat fire in Chadwell St Mary, in Thurrock, this morning.

On arrival, crews confirmed a fire was burning in a flay on the 13th floor, and immediately evacuated residents on the 13th floor.

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There were seven crews in attendance, with one from Orsett, two from Grays, one from Basildon, one from Corringham, one from Southend, and one from Hawkwell.

A safety cordon is now in place around the area of the building while firefighters work hard to ensure it does not spread any further.

Al Green, incident commander, said at 10.15am: "Crews are working hard to completely extinguish this fire and make the building safe again as quickly as possible. No-one has been harmed.

"If you live nearby, you may notice smoke coming from the building - please don't be alarmed. A safety cordon is in place while firefighting continues, so please avoid the area."