FIREFIGHTERS tackled a blaze at a cottage on the Broadway in Grays on Sunday (18 April) evening.

Three crews of firefighters from Grays and Orsett were called to the blaze after a passerby noticed smoke coming from the property around 8.40pm.

When firefighters arrived they reported that the cottage was heavily smoke logged and the first floor was completely alight.

Watch Manager Dave Hogan from Grays Fire Station, said: "Our firefighters worked extremely well to stop the fire spreading and protect neighbouring properties."

Firefighters extinguished the fire by 10.11pm.

The first floor has been badly fire damaged and the ground floor has been damaged by smoke and water.

Officers will now carry out an investigation into the cause of the fire.