A WOMAN has been charged with arson after a bungalow was gutted in a fire.

Police and the fire service are investigation following the blaze in Goldingham Drive, Braintree, which started at around 3.42am on Friday.

Fire crews arrived at the scene to find a semi-detached bungalow completely on fire.

They worked for more than an hour to put the the blaze out by 4.45am but stayed at the scene for a further two hours to ensure no hotspots reignited.

The fire service said the bungalow was severely damaged in the blaze.

A property next door was also full of smoke and suffered some minor damaged but it is not believed anybody lives there.

A large pile of fire damaged items could be seen in the front garden.

UK Power Networks turned off the power in the immediate area to isolate the house during the fire.

Essex County Fire and Rescue Service say the bungalow has been “severely damaged”, while the property next door suffered minor smoke damage.

Gemma Stares-Darben, 33, of Goldingham Drive, Braintree, has been charged with arson with intent.

She was due to appear at Chelmsford Magistrates’ Court on Saturday.