Fire breaks at Basildon Sainsbury's store

The fire started in the staff kitchen while the store was closed.

Thirty staff were evacuated and one who tried to extinguish the fire was taken to hospital suffering from smoke inhalation.

Basildon Station Officer Evan Jellis said: "It appears an egg box had somehow fallen onto a slow burning hob and gradually burned into the cardboard. The casualty had attempted to put the fire out using a CO2 extinguisher and as the fire spread to the floor it created acrid smoke from the burning lino. The chap just stayed inside a bit too long and was affected by the smoke."

The man, believed to be in his 40s, was taken to Basildon hospital after the incident at 1.55am.

Damage was confined to the kitchen and the store in Cricketers Way is open as usual.