AN investigation has been launched to determine the cause of a fire which tore through an Essex home today.

AN investigation has been launched to determine the cause of a fire which tore through an Essex home.

The drama took place in Constantine Road, Witham shortly after 3.15pm yesterday.

A neighbour spotted smoke coming from the conservatory of the detached house and alerted the homeowner and his son, who were in the property at the time.

Fire crews from Witham, Chelmsford, Maldon, Baddow and Colchester were sent to the scene to tackle the blaze.

An aerial ladder was also used to douse the flames.

At the peak of the fire, the ground floor of the property was completely smoke-logged, while a quarter of the first floor was alight and the entire roof was ablaze.

Firefighters wearing breathing apparatus used one main jet and two hose reels to extinguish the fire, which was brought under control shortly after 5pm.

Crews remained at the scene damping down hot spots for several hours.

The cause of the fire is unknown.

Essex County Fire and Rescue Service and the police have launched a joint investigation although early indications suggest its origin was not suspicious.

Station officer Martin Pullen, the incident commander, said: “When fire crews arrived they were confronted with a well advanced fire.

“A neighbour had alerted a father and son who were at home in the property that smoke was coming from their conservatory.

“Firefighters worked extremely well in arduous conditions and their quick actions managed to contain the fire to the house and stop it from spreading to neighbouring properties.”