AN investigation has been launched into a flat fire that broke out in the early hours of this morning.

Elliot Furniss

AN investigation has been launched into a flat fire that broke out in the early hours of this morning.

The blaze was reported at about 3.05am at a flat in Ladbrook Drive, Colchester, and two fire crews from the town were sent to the scene.

On arrival, firefighters found the ground-floor property to be heavily smoke-logged and used breathing equipment and a hose reel jet to tackle the flames.

An Essex County Fire and Rescue Service spokesman said: “Initially it was thought there may be people inside the flat, but firefighters later confirmed everyone had been accounted for.”

The incident was dealt with by 3.30am and a joint police and fire investigation is now being carried out to establish the cause of the incident.