AN INVESTIGATION has been launched after a fire at a sheltered housing block left an elderly woman homeless.

Paramedics treated five people after a fire at Pintails in Crest Avenue, Pitsea, at about 8.15pm yesterday.

A woman in her nineties, who fled her burning flat before firefighters arrived, was treated for smoke inhalation.

Firefighters rescued two residents from their smoke-logged flat, upstairs.

About ten firefighters were initially sent to the scene after fire apparently broke out in an electricity cupboard.

But the incident commander requested a third appliance for additional breathing masks after crews reported the fire was well established.

The fire was out in about half an hour, then the firefighters used a high-pressure fan to clear the building of smoke.

The two upstairs residents were able to return home once the smoke was cleared.