Firecrews have been working overnight after a blaze at a woodwork factory.

Crews were called to the fire in Redstock Road, Southend at 7pm and required nine fire crews to tackle the blaze.

The fire resulted in a woman who lived nearby being taken to hospital with breathing difficulties, an old peoples home had to be evacuated and surrounding roads were closed.

The factory is used by joiners and the fire escalated quickly because of the wood and flammable materials inside.

Assistant Divisional Officer Neil Fenwick said: “Crews have battled hard and hove done an excellent job in containing the fire.

“Because of all the wood in the unit it has been a fiercely burning blaze and it is thanks to crews hard work and professionalism that the fire has been contained to the factory where it started.

“We are now on top of the fire and have it surrounded although it will continue to burn for some time and crews will be working on site for hours to come yet.”

The fire was extinguished by 1am this morning but crews remained on the scene overnight damping down the area.

An investigation will take place to establish the cause of the fire.