STAFF at a sheltered housing site in Wickford helped a resident to safety this afternoon (Sunday, 18 July) after a blaze broke out in a room.

Crews from Rayleigh Weir and Corringham were alerted to the incident at premises on Southend Road around 4.30pm. On arrival, they reported that the woman had been rescued by on-site staff and other residents had been evacuated as a precaution.

Firefighters used a positive pressure ventilation fan to clear the large volume of smoke which had built up within the premises.

No-one was harmed and the property has avoided significant damage.

The fire was extinguished by 4.51pm and it is believed the fire was caused by an electrical fault.