A neighbour raised the alarm after hearing a distressed woman shouting for help next door and seeing smoke coming from her home.

The drama unfolded this afternoon (Sunday) at 2.44, in Monkwick Avenue.

Two fire crews from Colchester and another from West Mersea were called to scene and firefighters, wearing breathing apparatus, used a hose reel to tackle the fire in the lounge of the property.

The woman, believed to be 60 years old, was suffering from smoke inhalation and and ambulance was called to treat the woman.

The fire was out by 3.05pm and crews then ventilated the building before leaving the scene.