A fire broke out early this morning at the Oysterfleet Hotel on Canvey Island.

The fire started outside the hotel so there were no fire alarms going off as a result.

Essex Fire and Rescue said: "Crews from Canvey and Rayleigh Weir were called to Knightswick Road, Canvey Island, at 3.55am on Saturday after reports of a fire outside a hotel.

"On arrival firefighters reported there was a fire outside a patio area and smoke was beginning to enter the building.

"Firefighters evacuated the building, quickly tackled the fire and ventilated the building. Fire officers will now carry out an investigation into the cause of the fire.

Business has been resumed as the bar and restaurant reopened today at midday.