Crews appeal to residents to park considerately after house fire

Crews have appealed to residents to park considerately following a house fire in Westcliff-on-Sea.

We were called to Fairmead Avenue today at 3.43am and crews from Southend and Leigh attended.

They were delayed getting to the property due to cars parked either side of the road blocking access.

Thankfully the occupant had got out of the property unharmed.

Crew Manager Maxim Clark said: "Every second counts during a fire but unfortunately it took us five minutes to drive half the length of the road. At one point, we had to get out and walk to the property.

"If we have to bump cars out of the way to get to a scene we will, but it's not a course of action we want to take.

"Thankfully, the occupant was safely out of the house, but it could have been very different if she hadn't been alerted to the fire.

"Please help our crews by making sure a fire engine, ambulance or police car can fit through when you park your vehicle."

Crews extinguished a fire in a downstairs bathroom, caused by an electric fault, by 4.41am.

Firefighters will visit the area today to give residents advice about parking considerately.