FIRE crews were called to a kitchen fire in Southend at 6.55pm this evening.

Two crews wearing breathing apparatus attended and extinguished the pan fire by 7.22pm with one hose reel, before clearing the smoke with pressure fans.

All members of the family evacuated the premises upon hearing their fire alarm but an ambulance was requested as a precautionary measure for a three-month-old baby with smoke inhalation.

Southend fire station officer Mark Diggory said the Northumberland Road property sustained only minor damage due to the quick actions of the family.

He said: "Their part was carried out very well, they did exactly the right thing, evacuated the premises upon hearing the fire alarm and closed all doors on the way out.

"It was a precaution measure only to request an ambulance due to the age of the child."