A man has been left homeless after a fire tore through his house in Mell Road, Tollesbury.
Fire fighters were called to the scene at 5.33pm yesterday to attend to the blaze which involved an electricity meter box.
Crews from Tollesbury, Tiptree and Maldon wore breathing apparatus and used a dry powder extinguisher to put out the flames.
UK Power Networks were also called to the scene to isolate power and the incident was dealt with by 7.43pm.
The man escaped uninjured but due to the damage to his home, the housing association that owns the property will have to find him alternative accommodation.
