A family have been left homeless after their property was completely destroyed in a house fire.

East Anglian Daily Times: A family have been left homeless by the fire Picture: ESSEX COUNTY FIRE AND RESCUEA family have been left homeless by the fire Picture: ESSEX COUNTY FIRE AND RESCUE (Image: Archant)

Crews from Essex County Fire and Rescue were called to Pegasus Way, in Braintree, shortly before 6am on Wednesday to a house fire.

On arrival, crews found a semi-detached property was alight, with the fire also affecting a neighbouring property.

Firefighters spent a number of hours working to extinguish the fire in sections.

The fire was finally extinguished by 10.14am, with officers remaining at the scene to monitor hotspots.

East Anglian Daily Times: Firefighters tackling the blaze at a house in Braintree Picture: ESSEX COUNTY FIRE AND RESCUEFirefighters tackling the blaze at a house in Braintree Picture: ESSEX COUNTY FIRE AND RESCUE (Image: Archant)

A spokesman for Essex County Fire and Rescue said: “The house has been 100% destroyed and the occupants rendered homeless.

“The attached property next door suffered some smoke and water damage.

“An investigation will take place to determine the cause of the fire.”

In total five appliances were sent to the scene from Braintree, Wethersfield, Coggeshal and an aerial ladder platform from Chelmsford.