A FAMILY have been left homeless after a fire destroyed a house this afternoon (June 22).

Firefighters rescued two people - a man and child - from the building in Tanner Close, Clacton, after they were called to the scene at around 3pm.

A conservatory to the rear of the house and a nearby garden shed were on fire and the home itself was full of smoke.

Firefighters immediately rescued the child from the downstairs of the building and also led the man, in his 30s, to safety.

The fire was extinguished by 3.50pm.

A spokesman for the Essex County Fire and Rescue Service said: "The man has suffered from smoke inhalation and unfortunately the family have also been left homeless by the damage caused by the smoke.

"We believe this fire was caused accidentally due to faulty external wiring."