FIRE CREWS rescued two people from a smoke-filled, three storey block of flats after fire broke out.
The couple are now homeless and a joint Police and Fire Service investigation has begun to establish how the blaze began.
Crews arriving at the scene reported that the entire three storey block was smoke logged, though fire was in one flat. Firefighters in breathing apparatus used two hose reels to tackle the blaze, which was out by 05:56 hrs.
A spokesman for Grays Fire Station said: "When we arrived at the scene, a couple, in their thirties, were on a first floor balcony at the rear of the property having left their flat to escape the smoke. We pitched a ladder and led them down to safety, then gave them oxygen therapy while waiting for an Ambulance to arrive. They had taken in quite a lot of smoke but were conscious.
"The fire was in one of the flats but four had to be evacuated as crews dealt with the incident quickly and professionally to prevent spread and their swift action meant that flames were contained within the original property."
