THREE people were rescued following a fire in the early hours of this morning (Tuesday, 1 February) in Grays.

Firefighters were called to Seabrooke Rise today at 4.25am after neighbours saw smoke coming from a property.

A man, who was suffering from smoke inhalation, was trying to get out of the first floor maisonette when crews arrived, but two others were still trapped in a bedroom.

Control Officers were on the phone to one of the those throughout; giving him life-saving advice, reassuring him that crews were on the way and helping to direct firefighters to their location.

Watch Manager Dave Hogan said: "It was a well-established fire and crews did brilliantly to quickly find the men and bring them to safety.

"They also did a fantastic job in getting the fire under control and preventing any damage to other properties."

The residents, who were conscious and breathing but suffering from smoke inhalation, were left in the care of the Ambulance Service.

The property did not have working smoke alarms.

Watch Manager Hogan said: "This incident shows the importance of having working smoke alarms in your home because they can act as an early warning.

"It also shows the importance of closing your internal doors when you go to bed. It will help to stop fire and smoke spreading in the event of a fire."

An investigation will take place to establish the cause of the fire.