An investigation is under way to discover how fire broke out on the tenth floor of a tower block of flats in Southend.
Residents were led to safety during the drama in Sutton Court, Pantile Avenue, Southchurch, which began just before 10pm yesterday.
Two fire engines from Southend and an aerial ladder platform from Basildon attended the incident and put out the fire within half an hour.
Firefighters were able to haul heavy equipment up to the blaze in the tower block's lift.
A spokesman said: "We led around ten residents on the tenth floor to the floor below while we dealt with the fire.
"Luckily, the flat was empty at the time. It appears a couple of bags of rubbish were on fire."
However, it could not yet be confirmed if the incident was a result of arson, added the spokesman. A fire investigation was due to be carried out today.
Published Friday December 28, 2001
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