A COUPLE have been made homeless after a fire in their first floor flat this morning (Tuesday).

The fire started at the flat in Copperfield, Chigwell, at about 3.30am and the couple had escaped, along with most of their neighbours in the two-storey block of eight flats, before firefighters arrived.

One woman had to be rescued by the crews from Loughton and Epping and put the fire out by 4.30am.

Leading Firefighter Darren Waite, of Loughton fire station, said: “The crews’ quick action prevented the fire spreading to the other flats.

“Crews made a check of the adjacent flats to make sure that everyone was accounted for.

“The couple who lived in the flat where the fire had started have been made homeless following the fire.

“Fortunately, no-one was hurt in the incident.”

The police and fire service have launched an investigation into the cause of the fire.

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