If anyone had been trapped in a suspicious fire which gutted a flat they would not have survived, fire bosses said today.
Fortunately, the first floor flat in Chale Court, St Margaret's Avenue, Stanford-le-Hope, was empty when flames ripped through it during the early hours of yesterday morning.
Fire crews from Orsett and Corringham braved the scene in breathing apparatus at around 1.30am and led a man, a woman and a young girl out of the opposite flat to safety. The two females were treated in hospital for smoke inhalation.
Essex Fire station officer Julian Ashley said: "Crews were in the flat for around 20 minutes to get it under control. It was 80 per cent destroyed and is being treated as suspicious.
"The flat was empty but the owner was informed.
"If anyone had have been in there, they would not have survived.
Published Tuesday, July 1, 2003
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