Shoebury flat fire leaves residents terrified

Firefighters Respond to Blaze at Viking Court

Firefighters rushed to a block of flats at Viking Court, on Saxon Gardens, on Saturday morning. The flat was “well alight.”

Videos and photos from the scene showed smoke pouring from the doorway. The fire left the home gutted.

The cause of the fire has been recorded as accidental.

Fire Response and Safety Concerns

Firefighters arrived shortly after 8am. They quickly extinguished the blaze using specialist equipment.

Residents expressed fear that the fire would spread to neighboring properties. Crews remained on the scene to dampen hotspots and prevent the fire from reigniting.

Residents said the severe fire consumed approximately half of the first-floor flat. They were afraid it would block escape routes.

Resident Accounts and Damage Reports

Two crews from Southend Fire Station attended the blaze. They found the flat “heavily smoke logged” and used specialist equipment to ventilate the flat and clear the smoke.

One resident, who asked not to be named, told the Echo: “I was asleep when it started and was awoken by a tap at my door.”

“Two fire engines arrived. I was terrified as there is only one exit from my flat. I thought if it spreads I might not be able to get out.”

Aftermath and Community Impact

“They began spraying water inside. After it had been put out, you could see the extent of the damage. The smoke has stained around the exterior,” the resident added.

Neighbors reported a lingering smell of smoke after the blaze. “There is still a strong smell of smoke after a few days. I can only imagine there has been a lot of water damage from putting it out,” one neighbor said.

“Thankfully it doesn’t sound as though anyone was hurt, but it could easily be another story. There’s a school just over the road, and you don’t like to think what might have happened had it got further out of hand.”

Injuries and Official Statements

No one is understood to have sustained any injuries or required medical treatment after the fire.

A spokesperson for Essex County Fire and Rescue Service said: “Firefighters were called to a flat fire at Saxon Gardens, Shoebury, at 8.18am on Saturday, January 3.”

“On arrival, crews found a first-floor flat with around half of the property well alight and the building heavily smoke logged.”

“Two crews from Southend Fire Station quickly extinguished the fire and used specialist ventilation equipment to clear smoke from the building.”

Summary of Incident