Fire crews were able to control a house fire within around 15 minutes after a washing machine had caught alight.

The team were first made aware of the fire, which started inside a property on Sherbourne Gardens, Southend, around 10.33am yesterday (January 25).

When they arrived, firefighters discovered a washing machine had caught fire and quickly moved the appliance outside so they could extinguish the blaze.

Thanks to their efforts, the fire was put out by 10.49am.

It's believed an electrical fault within the washing machine caused the fire.

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A spokesperson from the fire service, said: "Firefighters were called to a house fire in Southend earlier yesterday.

"On arrival, crews reported that a washing machine had caught fire and moved the appliance outside to extinguish the fire.

"Crews extinguished the fire by 10:49am.

"Firefighters believe an electrical fault within the washing machine caused the fire."