A FIRE in a stair well was extinguished by two fire crews in Westcliff in the early hours of Thursday morning.

Crews from Leigh and Southend fire stations attended the fire in Crowstone Avenue at around 3am this morning.

The blaze was set at the bottom of a fire escape but had been got under control before crews attended by a quick thinking neighbour using a garden hose.

Firefighters used one hose reel to finally extinguish the blaze.

It is not yet known how the fire started and both the fire and police service are carrying out an investigation.