Man released on bail after Grays house Christmas Day car crash

Firefighters used support struts to stabilise the building in Grays, Essex

A man has been released on bail after a car crashed into a house on Christmas Day, causing extensive damage.

Essex Police said officers were called to Argent Street, Grays, at 09:50 GMT.

No-one inside the house was hurt and the road was closed for several hours, the force said.

An 18-year-old man, from Grays, arrested on suspicion of dangerous driving has been released on bail pending further inquiries, police said.

He had also been arrested on suspicion of driving without a licence and no insurance.

Police officers, a fire crew and workers from Cadent attended the scene at about 09:50 GMT

Firefighters at the scene used two support struts to stabilise the building after it suffered "significant damage".

The BBC understands the people who lived at the house were staying somewhere else after the incident.

A neighbour said the residents were "shocked".

No-one was injured as a result of the crash, Essex County Fire & Rescue Service said

Another neighbour said he was asleep when he heard a huge crash outside.

"I know they hit both the electrics and the gas supplies because the gas man came round on Christmas Day and told me to leave my house. So I went to the pub for a while," he said.

Gas company Cadent also attended after reports were made of a gas leak.

A neighbour told the BBC he saw someone running away from the vehicle after the crash