A 73-YEAR-OLD man suffered from smoke inhalation caused by a caravan fire in Essex earlier this evening.

Fire crews were called to the fire in Brooklands Gardens, Jaywick, near Clacton, at 8.55pm.

The crews were called to tackle a fire involving a caravan, reported to be alight on a driveway and affecting the chalet bungalow alongside it.

Firefighters arriving at the scene reported that the chalet, measuring 8m x 15m, was smoke logged. A 73-year-old man was suffering from smoke inhalation and given oxygen therapy by crews.

Firefighters wearing breathing apparatus used two hose reels to extinguish the fire and the incident was dealt with by 9.41pm.

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