Firefighters raced to put out a huge fire in a town centre this morning as the blaze spread to several properties.
Emergency services were called to a building on West Avenue in Clacton, Essex, at about 12.35am this morning.
Locals were evacuated from their homes after the inferno spread to nearby buildings.
A refuge centre was set up for displaced residents by Tendring District Council and Premier Inn Clacton.
Several streets - including Jackson Road, Penfold Road and Agate Road - were closed while firefighters battled with the flames.
