A FLAT has been left uninhabitable after firefighters descended on Canvey seafront and residents were evacuated.

Firefighters were called to reports of smoke coming out of a flat near Western Esplanade at 1.35pm on Tuesday.

When crews arrived they found a fire in the kitchen. Cooking had been left unattended and caught alight.

The block of flats was evacuated and ambulance vehicles were also in attendance.

Echo: Ambulances on the sceneAmbulances on the scene (Image: Newsquest)

Two crews wearing breathing apparatus entered the flat and used hose reel jets to extinguish the fire.

Group manager Steve Osborn said: "The crews did a great job to get residents out of the block safely and extinguish the fire quickly to stop it from spreading into other rooms.

"The residents had a smoke alarm in their communal corridor but not in the actual flat. We cannot say it enough, it's so important that everyone has a smoke alarm in their property. They’re your first warning to a fire and can give you time to safely escape your home and call us quickly.

“If you or someone you know doesn’t have any working smoke alarms at home, we can fit them for free. Please get in touch with our team here."

East of England Ambulance Service has been contacted for comment.