SHOPPERS and staff were evacuated from Tesco in West Thurrock after a fire broke out in a freezer unit.

Two crews from Grays raced to the 24 hour supermarket, in Lakeside Retail Park, at 2.26am.

Although the fire was contained to the freezer unit, smoke had spread throughout the building.

A high pressure fan was used to clear it and staff and shoppers were allowed back in at 3.07am.