Firefighters spent this morning (January 3) tackling a large fire at a house in Westcliff amid fears it could spread to neighbouring properties.
The blaze, at the three storey detached house in Kings Road, took hold by 6.30am and it was further 40 minutes before it was brought under control.
The house was badly damaged and the roof has collapsed. Essex Fire and Rescue has not confirmed whether anybody was in the property at the time.
Assistant Divisional Officer Mark Turnbull said: "There had been reports of an explosion prior to our arrival and the first crews on the scene found an already well developed fire with multiple seats on all three floors of the house.
When we first got here there were flames coming out of the windows.
"Crews faced a difficult task getting on top of this fire and they have done an excellent job in bringing it under control.
"There was a real danger that this could spread to neighbouring homes but crews hard work and professionalism has contained the fire to the house where it started and prevented it spreading."
He added: "We have the fire under control and we're now working to extinguish the blaze."
