A SOUTHEND home has been "completely destroyed" by a large fire.

Crews were called to the blaze in Keith Way, Southend at 8.15pm last night. 

On arrival, firefighters reported there was a fire in the loft space and worked quickly to surround it and extinguish it.

Once the fire was out, firefighters used an aerial ladder platform to reach the roof from above and dampen down hotspots. 

Echo:

A spokesman for Essex Fire Service said: "The house has been completely destroyed by the fire. Fire Officers will carry out a fire investigation as soon as it is possible."

Simon Murdoch, a resident who lives nearby, said: “The neighbour's on the other side of the semi detached house were evacuated, large crowds of people came out of their houses in the road to watch the drama unfold.

"The fire appears to have started in the roof where the flames could be seen and the fire brigade had to call in the special aerial ladder platform later to fight the fire from above.

"There was lots of thick black smoke that was visible for miles. They were there most of the night as well.

“The road was completely blocked with emergency service vehicles. Flames could be seen rising from the roof as in one of my photos. 

"Last year, there was similar large house fire in Keith Way which also started in the roof and gutted that house as well. The people living in last night's house fire have also been made homeless now.

"The fire service is now carrying out an investigation into the cause of the fire. Luckily there no injuries and nobody was trapped inside.”