A woman and young boy were recovering after being rescued when fire broke out at the top of a 13-storey block of flats.

Two fire crews from Orsett and one from Grays were called to the incident in Poole House, Chadwell St Mary, near Thurrock.

Flames were coming from the windows of the top floor flat in Godman Road after the blaze started in the bedroom of an unoccupied dwelling.

A fire investigation was under way to try to establish the cause of the blaze - but it is thought to be suspicious. The property had been nailed up because it was empty but the front door was open when fire crews arrived.

The 20-year-old mother and her son aged two were led to safety by firefighters from the next door flat after being trapped by the heavy smoke.

They were both treated at the scene for smoke inhalation.

Other residents living in the flats were evacuated to the community room of nearby George Tilbury House as the blaze was being fought. It took 40 minutes to bring it under control.

Two men and a girl are being questioned by police.

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