A huge inferno has engulfed the seaside town of Clacton-on-Sea as firefighters evacuated local residents to a nearby "refuge centre".

The blaze broke out at a building on West Avenue on the Essex coast in the early hours of the morning.

Emergency services rushed to the street, which includes 16 properties at an average price of £202,667, at 12.35am.

Locals have been advised by Essex Fire & Rescue to keep their windows and doors shut as plumes of smoke soared into the night's sky.

Crews from Clacton, Dovercourt, Manningtree, Weeley, Colchester, Tiptree and Chelmsford were called to respond to the blaze.

The building was still fully alight just before 2am, Essex County Fire & Rescue Service later said.

Pictures showed residents in a state as shock as the emergency services battled the blaze.

However, firefighters managed to extinguish the fire at around 7am this morning.

Crews from Clacton, Dovercourt, Manningtree, Weeley, Colchester, Tiptree and Chelmsford have been at the scene |

ESSEX COUNTY FIRE & RESCUE SERVICE

A photo released by the service after the flames were put out revealed that the building had been destroyed.

A vehicle parked next to the building was also incinerated during the blaze.

Incident Commander Nick Singleton said: "Crews have worked hard to surround the fire.

"We will be remaining here for a significant time during the day to make sure the fire is fully extinguished.

The aftermath of the blaze in Clacton

"Jackson Road, Penfold Road and Agate Road will be shut and experience disruption while our crews remain at the incident.

"Thank you to our emergency services colleagues who have helped us safety evacuate nearby residents."