ECFRS Control Operators received a number of calls from residents trapped in their flats in Broxburn Drive South Ockendon by smoke from a burning communal post box.

Firefighters used one hose reel to extinguish the fire in the timber framed postbox attached to a wall of the property.

Crews arriving at the scene reported that the communal hallway was full of smoke.

Everyone was accounted for by 20:04 and there were no casualties. The fire was quickly extinguished and then crews used a high pressure fan to clear the building of smoke.

A fire investigation will be carried out to establish the cause of the incident.