SHOCKING video footage shows a the moment a devastating fire ripped through a ground floor flat in Shoebury.
The flat block in Elm Road, Shoebury, was completely evacuated at about 10.20pm last night.
Fire crews managed to extinguish the fire by 11pm, but the flat was completely destroyed in the blaze.
The occupant of the flat was already outside, thanks to a passerby who had seen smoke coming from the flat and managed to get into the flat and get the occupant outside.
The occupant, who had suffered smoke inhalation, was left in the care of the Ambulance Service.
The rest of the building was evacuated while crews could deal with the fire.
The other flats in the block were unaffected.
An investigation is being carried out to establish the cause of the fire.
A spokesman for Essex Police said: "Police were contacted by the fire service at 10.25pm on Friday March 8 following reports of a fire at a property in Elm Road, Shoeburyness.
"A man in his 40s was treated by paramedics at the scene and was taken to hospital where he remains in a serious condition.
"An investigation into the cause of the fire is underway."
Video by Dawn Michele Goodwin
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