DOZENS of firefighters rushed to a block of flats after a number of insect repellent cans had set off smoke alarms.

Crews were called to the flats on Coleman Street, Southend, this morning after smoke was seen coming from the seventh floor.

There two fire engines from Southend, one from Leigh, one from Shoebury, one from Rochford and one from Basildon.

Firefighters immediately gained access to find the cause of the smoke.

When crews gained access to the flat, they found a number of cans of insect repellent had been set off which had set the smoke alarms off.