A man has died after a three-storey building of flats was in flames during the early morning.

Essex Police confirmed that a body of a man was found in Woodland Grove, Epping, after a fire broke out earlier today (June 21) at around 6.30am.

The fire started at the ground floor of the building and spread to the roof, which also affected an adjacent block of flats.

Epping Forest Guardian:

Police attended the scene (Photo: Adrian Wallis)

Essex Fire and Rescue Services extinguished the fire at around 9.30am, but there was “extensive damage” left at the building.

Epping Forest Guardian:

A fire broke out in the early morning (Adrian Wallis)

Now a rest centre has opened at the Jack Silley Pavilion at Stonards Hill, for the evacuated residents affected by the fire.

Town and District Council staff are working with councillors to support the evacuated residents.

Epping Forest Guardian:

The fire was extinguished at around 9am (Adrian Wallis)

Councillor Chris Whitbread, leader of the Epping Forest District Council said: "Our hearts go out to everyone involved. There has been extensive damage to the block. But for the swift action by Essex Fire and Rescue it would certainly have been worse.

“Parts of the block are clearly uninhabitable at the moment and we are working with Epping Town Council to set up a temporary rest centre at the Jack Silley Pavilion while people take stock of the situation.

“Housing officers from Epping Forest District Council are on the scene to help. This is a private block of flats but we will make sure everyone has a roof over their head before the end of the day.”

A spokesperson for Epping Forest District Council added: "Epping Forest District Council has put its resources at the disposal of the emergency services. While housing officers are on the scene to help displaced residents, building control officers will help Essex Fire and Rescue determine the safety of the structure later. Woodland Grove has been closed to traffic.

"The Police and Fire Services are asking people to avoid the area if possible. Essex Fire and Rescue will be working at the scene for some time as the seek to establish the cause of the fire."

Fire crews were called from Harlow, Loughton, Waltham Abbey, Old Harlow, Basildon, Stanstead, Brentwood, Chelmsford and Chingford.

Firefighters instructed all residents to evacuate their flats.

After an investigation, it was found that the fire was accidental.

Fire Investigator Mark Earwicker said: “Earlier reports suggested this fire started on the ground floor of the block of flats, however, I can confirm it started in a top floor flat before spreading to the roof and adjoining building.

“Following our fire investigation we now know that the fire started in the open plan kitchen lounge area. We have recorded the cause as accidental but because of the extent of fire damage in the flat it’s difficult to determine exactly how the fire started.

“We believe this was a tragic accident where a man sadly lost his life, and, over the coming days and weeks, we will be working hard to spread our safety messages and offer reassurance and advice to residents.

“As always, our message to every single person in the county is to make sure they have a working smoke alarm on every level of their home. It will alert you to the first sign of fire and give you more time to get out, stay out and call 999.”