Fire wrecked a flat above a shop in Maldon High Street leaving a family homeless.

The blaze, which started early Wednesday afternoon, also damaged the Maldon Conservative Association constituency office used by MP John Whittingdale.

Blaze scene - firefighters tackle the fire, which raged through a block of shops in Maldon High Street Picture: EVENING GAZETTE

The High Street was closed to traffic for three and a half hours while some 30 fire fighters were called to the scene.

Station officer Martin Cable from Maldon Fire and Rescue said: "We were called out at 2pm to a fire in a bedroom above Dillon's newsagents.

"The fire was spreading quite rapidly across the roof to the offices above Memories photographic shop.

"John Whittingdale's office had some smoke damage but mainly suffered water damage. The flat above the newsagent's was severely damaged by fire.

"The people living there had spotted the fire early on, had called the fire service and everyone was out of the building when we arrived.

"The family has been made homeless by the fire, which we believe was caused by an electrical fault. Because the buildings are fairly old there are no party walls in the roof void, which is why it spread quickly.

Fire fighters were at the scene for more than two hours.Ten breathing apparatus, five appliances and the aerial ladder from Chelmsford were in use.

None of the fire fighters suffered any injuries. Traffic was diverted from the High Street by police and the road did not reopen until 5.30 pm.

Mr Whittingdale said: "I was very disturbed to hear about the fire, but I am hugely relieved that no one was injured. Once we have assessed the extent of the damage to the office, we will be able to decide whether it is necessary to find temporary accommodation elsewhere."

Published Thursday November 20, 2003

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