A FIRE at a Stanford-le-Hope stables this evening has claimed the lives of six horses, including several foals.

The blaze happened at around 7.30pm when the alarm was raised. Several crews raced to the scene on the A1013 opposite St Clere's Hall just before London Road, Stanford. However, it was too late to save the animals and the stables and vehcile parked next to them have been destroyed by the flames.

The site owner rushed to the scene but could do little. John, from Chadwell St Mary, said: "I had been here a few hours ago to feed them and lock up. Then I was at home and got the call. I came up but the animals were dead, most of them were foals."