FIREFIGHTERS saved neighbouring homes following a fire in a semi-detached house in Colchester.

Six crews were called to the home in Harsnett Road, New Town.

The first floor and roof of the property caught fire.

Neighbouring properties were evacuated.

Crews attending including three from Colchester, one from Wivenhoe, one from Coggeshall and the incident command unit from Clacton.

An ambulance was called to the scene to treat a man suffering from the effects of smoke and burns.

He was taken to Colchester General Hospital.

Crews spent two-and-a-half hours tackling the blaze which was put out shortly before 11pm.

The fire service and police are carrying out a joint investigation into the cause of the fire.