UPDATE: Five homeless after Tilbury house fire

Crews were called to Adelaide Road at 7.15am and reported 50 per cent of the first floor was well alight.

Three women and two children have been made homeless by the blaze, which has gutted the entire top floor of the house.

A woman who lives at the property with a friend, her mother, her 10-year old niece and 5-year old nephew spoke of her terror when she discovered the blaze - and her relief that no-one was hurt.

The 28-year old finance officer said: "We are devastated. The whole top floor is completely ruined, but we thank God everyone is alright. The children are all well and good and we have the support of our friends and family."

Her mother, who did not wish to be named, said: "I feel sad - really sad. I was at work when it happened. We are not ok. We don't have somewhere to stay, the children are not in school because of what happened. I don't know what's going to happen next. It all depends on the insurance company."

Neighbour Lola Martins, 37, of Adelaide Road, told of how she woke up to the sight of clouds of smoke billowing past the window.

She next heard her neighbour banging on the door and shouting 'Fire! Fire!'

Mrs Martins said: "I ran out to see if it was my house on fire. I was shocked and very scared and then I saw the fire was coming from next door. But I got the kids out and remembered to take my children's jackets too! It's awful what's happened - but thankfully we are all ok. The room that was on fire was the room next to my daughter's room."

The family were still waiting for the Red Cross to arrive at 11.30am to help with welfare arrangements.

Once the fire was extinguished, crews used a high pressure fan to clear smoke from the home.

An Essex Fire and Rescue spokesman said: "Initially it was thought people may be inside, but after a thorough search firefighters said that everyone had been accounted for." Fire crews had dealt with the incident by 8.10am.

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