FIRE Crews extinguished a house fire in North Weald Bassett.

They were called to Tempest Mead today at 3.32am and crews from Ongar, Loughton, Old Harlow, Brentwood, Harlow and Leaden Roding, along with an aerial ladder platform from Chelmsford, attended.

Crews were faced with a fully developed fire affecting a three-storey detached house. 

Station Manager John Warmann said: “Initial crews did a really good job of surrounding the fire, stopping it from spreading and protecting nearby properties.

“I’d like to praise crews who worked incredibly hard to extinguish the fire.

“We believe it started in the garage, which has been destroyed, and spread to the house. Unfortunately the roof has collapsed and there is considerable damage to the rest of the property.”

The fire was extinguished shortly before 7am but crews will remain on the scene into the morning to dampen down and check for hotspots.

The occupants were safely outside the house when crews and smoke alarms were sounding.

A fire investigation will be carried out to establish the cause.