Shivani Chaudhari
BBC News, Essex
Essex County Fire and Rescue Service
A number of residents have been made homeless after a blaze broke out at three terraced bungalows.
Essex County Fire and Rescue Service was called to the properties on Milton Close, Southend-on-Sea, at about 07:40 BST.
Crews said they arrived to a well developed fire that was spreading into the roof space.
The blaze has since been put out. An investigation was due to begin once the area was made safe.
Henry Godfrey-Evans/BBC
Fire services from Rochford, Corringham, Orsett, Hawkwell, Leigh and Rayleigh Weir attended the scene.
Dane Hatley, 38, who lives close to where the fire broke out, said: "We woke up with the smoke billowing through our flats."
