An elderly woman was rushed to hospital after she inhaled smoke from a home blaze - on the other side of her street.
The woman, who has not been named, was taken to Basildon Hospital after a blaze broke out in a terrace house in Appletree Way, Wickford, on Tuesday afternoon.
Appliances from Wickford, Basildon and South Woodham Ferrers attended as the flames threatened to spread along the terrace of six bungalows.
The fire, which took more than an hour to bring under control, had broken out at the rear of one home, and had spread into two roof spaces above the bungalows.
A fire service spokesman said a thorough search was made for occupants.
He said: "Although firefighters initially thought occupants were still inside the premises, no-one was found when they were searched.
"However someone was found suffering from smoke inhalation on the other side of the road, and she was removed by ambulance."
The spokesman added the cause of the fire was unknown and police and fire investigators were looking into it.
Under control - firefighters douse flames in Appletree Way, Wickford
(Right) Rushed to hospital - a close neighbour is taken away suffering from smoke inhalation
Pictures: MAXINE CLARKE
Converted for the new archive on 19 November 2001. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereComments are closed on this article