Crews rescue person from blaze at block of flats

The blaze in Southend broke out on Friday evening

A person has been rescued from a block of flats after a fire was thought to have broken out in a kitchen.

Firefighters were called to a second floor flat on Baxter Avenue in Southend, Essex, at 21:00 GMT on Friday.

The person was left in the care of the ambulance service, after suffering from smoke inhalation.

Station manager, Jason Gould, said: "It's really important to keep your hobs, ovens and grills clean as a build-up of fat and grease can ignite a fire."

Crews from Southend, Leigh, Shoeburyness, Rochford and Rayleigh Weir attended

Mr Gould thanked residents for following the building's "stay put policy" in the event of a fire, which helped crews get to the affected flat.

"Our firefighters worked quickly to contain the fire and smoke to the kitchen area, which prevented damage throughout the flat," he said.

Crews from Southend, Leigh, Shoeburyness, Rochford and Rayleigh Weir responded to the blaze.