Residents leave flats after fire

There were no casualties (pic courtesy Essex County Fire and Rescue Service)

More than 50 people had to leave their homes after a fire started in the early hours on the roof terrace of a four-storey block of flats in Essex.

Firefighters were called to Meridian Point in Southchurch Road, Southend, and immediately evacuated the building.

Residents were taken to the civic offices where they are being looked after by officials from Southend Borough Council.

The fire is under control and there are no reports of any casualties.

Roads closed

EDF Energy has been called to the scene to isolate supplies to the building.

The fire service said the fire, which appears to have started on the decking area of the penthouse flat, is not being treated as suspicious.

The A13 Southchurch Road is closed both ways between Southchurch Avenue and Bellevue Avenue.

Motorists are being advised to avoid the area.

Martin Powell, from Essex Fire and Rescue Service, said: "Crews did an excellent job in evacuating the building quickly and calmly, and worked extremely hard ferrying equipment and people up and down five flights of stairs."