AFTER a night of drama at one of Grays' tower blocks, Thurrock Council's leading housing councillor has followed in the footsteps of those who praised firefighters for their prompt action and paid tribute to their skills and efficiency.

Last night (Thursday, 18 February) the alarm was raised after smoke began to fill the tenth floor at George Crooks House on New Road and seven appliances rushed to the scene.

Looking in back on the incident, which was caused by smoking food in a kitchen which led to the evacuation of two floors, housing portfolio holder Cllr Barry Johnson, said: "Thankfully this was only a small incident where smoke was created from some burned food, and there was no actual fire to extinguish.

"The procedures that we have in place in case of any fires were immediately put into action, with Essex County Fire and Rescue Service quickly implementing their full high rise blocks firefighting procedure.

"Residents on the on the eleventh floor were safely escorted from the block as a precaution because this is part of this procedure, there was no building damage and all residents were able to return to their properties after the 10th floor had been ventilated to disperse the smoke.

"The events of last night clearly demonstrate the level of commitment and the manner in which the fire service treat such reports of fire in the tower blocks, and I thank Essex Fire and Rescue service for their swift action.

"It's a timely reminder that household fires can happen very easily, and I strongly recommend that all of our tenants and leaseholders familiarise themselves with the helpful information contained in a fire safety guide which has been delivered to all council properties and is given to all new tenants."