A PROBE has been launched to identify the cause of a flat fire which left a man with serious injuries.

The fire broke out at a flat in Cedar Court, Elm Road, Shoebury on Friday night at around 10.20pm.

The fire was in a ground floor flat, which was completely destroyed by the blaze.

Joe Linnen, 23, who was walking by at the time, managed to break down the flat door and carry out the man who lived there, who he found collapsed on the floor.

Halstead Gazette:

Sadly, Mr Linnen was unable to save the man's dog, which died in the fire.

Fire crews attended and extinguished the fire at 11pm, the rest of the residents were safely evacuated.

Essex Police and Essex Fire Service are carrying out a joint investigation into the cause of the fire.

Halstead Gazette:

A police spokesman said: "Police were contacted by the fire service at 10.25pm on Friday following reports of a fire at a property in Elm Road, Shoebury.

"A man in his 40s was treated by paramedics at the scene and was taken to hospital where he remains in a serious condition.

"An investigation into the cause of the fire is underway."

Halstead Gazette: