A HOUSE in Westcliff was badly damaged in a fire which left people homeless. 

Essex Fire and Rescue Service sent three crews to St Vincent's Road, Westcliff, at about 10.16pm last night.

Details have only just been released. 

When the fire crews from Southend and Leigh arrived, the blaze had taken hold and much of the property was badly damaged.

A spokesman for the fire service said: "Firefighters were called to reports of a house fire last night.

"On arrival crews advised that the property, which is a two-storey four bedroom home, was well alight.

"Crews worked hard to extinguish the fire by 12.06am and used a positive pressure ventilation fan to clear the large amount of smoke that had accumulated within the building.

"Much of the property has been badly damaged and unfortunately, the occupants have been rendered homeless.

"Following an investigation, the cause of the fire has been recorded as undetermined."