Video footage shows how a fire that gutted a flat took hold of the building.

The clip shows large flames and plumes of thick black smoke rising into the air as the fire burnt the property in Eastern Esplanade, Southend.

Fire crews rushed to the incident at the home last night at about 8.11pm and rescued a man through a neighbouring home.

Blaze - fire crews tackling the fire - video by Bethany Groves

The flat was 100 per cent destroyed and Essex Fire Service says an investigation to determine the cause of the fire is now underway.

Group Manager Justin Benson-Ryal said: “Crews worked very hard in an extremely challenging environment with heat and smoke and were able to prevent the fire from spreading to neighbouring properties.”

Echo:

Efforts - the emergency services dealing with the incident on the seafront - pic by Bethany Groves