Four people, including a mother and her son, were rescued from a blaze in a block of flats.

Blaze drama - fire crews at the flats in Byng Court, Queen Elizabeth Way, Colchester. Picture: STEVE BRADING (24155-a)

The fire broke out in the kitchen of a first floor home in Byng Court in Queen Elizabeth Way, Colchester, at about 11.30pm last night.

Two fire crews from Colchester were called to the scene to find smoke pouring from the flat, which is in the centre of the three storey building.

A third fire engine, from West Mersea, was called out and ladders were used to rescue a man and a woman from the balcony of the flat which was on fire.

Fire crews wearing breathing apparatus went into the building to put out the kitchen fire while a second crew, also with breathing apparatus, checked neighbouring flats.

Sub Officer Paul Ebsworth said they had to force their way into several flats because there was no answer when they knocked at the doors.

And they led a mother and boy, who were in a second floor flat, out of the building to safety. The boy is believed to be about six years old.

Along with the other two people rescued, they were taken to hospital suffering from possible smoke inhalation.

Sub Officer Ebsworth said the kitchen where the blaze started was "extensively damaged" and there was also smoke damage to other parts of the building.

At first it was thought that the fire could have been suspicious and an investigation was started.

But investigators quickly ruled out wrong-doing, saying they thought the fire started as a pan fire or something similar in the kitchen.

Published Friday October 11, 2002

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