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Block of flats 'badly damaged' as fire breaks out

Lewis Adams
BBC News, Essex
Nadira Tudor
BBC News, Essex
Reporting fromWestcliff-on-Sea
ECFRS Two firefighters operate an aerial ladder platform as they tackle the fire. The four-storey block of flats is pictured in front of them. It is an orange brick building but its top floor is totally charred and damaged by the fire.ECFRS
An investigation will be carried out into what caused the fire at Osborne House in Westcliff-on-Sea, Essex

A four-storey block of flats has been "badly damaged" after its roof caught alight.

The fire broke out at Osbourne House in Imperial Avenue, Westcliff-on-Sea, Essex, at 12:12 BST on Tuesday.

"The roof of the building has been completely destroyed," said the Essex fire service, adding 16 properties inside had been affected.

An investigation is due to determine the cause of the fire, which was under control by 14:00.

Nadira Tudor/BBC Alex Smithyes wearing a black harrington jacket over a grey jumper. He has long brown hair and looks serious. He is standing in front of the four-storey building which caught alight. It has a severely charred and fire-damaged roof. An ambulance crew are pictured, as is a red and yellow fire engine.Nadira Tudor/BBC
Alex Smithyes heard the commotion from his back garden

Alex Smithyes, who lives close to the building, said it was "quite shocking" to watch the blaze unfold.

"I could see the fire creeping under the tiles of the roof and then all of a sudden the whole roof collapsed in," he said.

"It was very, very unexpected and it all happened quickly."

Firefighter Rick Williams said Southend City Council was helping to rehome those affected, but nobody had been injured.

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