FIREFIGHTERS were called to an industrial building in Romford Road, Aveley, this morning where a storage unit was ablaze.

Grays fire station watch manager Lee Hollingworth said: "We estimate the fire had been burning for around four or five hours before it was discovered, so by the time we arrived it had almost starved itself of oxygen and burned itself out.

"We believe the fire started after an extension lead overheated and caught alight to papers and magazines which were placed on top of it.

"It's important to ensure any areas around leads, plugs and cables are clear and any socks are not overloaded."

Firefighters extinguished the fire and made the area safe by 7.40am.

The contents of the container were mostly destroyed by the fire.