"Glass was blown from windows" during a fire in a homes tower block.

Seven crews attended the blaze in Seabrooke Rise, Grays yesterday around 2pm.

Witness Jacqueline Watkins, 56, said: "I was in my flat and saw the fire engines arriving. One woman told me there was smoke going in her window.

"There was a big bang and glass was blown out from two of the windows, it was so frightening."

A spokesman for Essex Fire Service said: "We received a call at 13:53 to alert us to a fire in Grays.

"As standard procedure, we sent 7 appliances to the scene. Firefighters confirmed the fire was out by 2:28pm. All residents safe and accounted for.

"Last update at 2:36pm, the flat is being cleared of smoke and an investigation will be carried out to determine the cause of the fire."