FIREFIGHTERS prevented a fire from destroying a row of buildings after it broke out in the roof space above a row of flats.

Four fire crews - two from Brentwood and two from the London Fire Brigade - battled the flames as they raged in the common roof void space of flats above shops - in Warley Hill.

The fire started at about 12.30pm.

Firefighters at the scene reported that the roofs were well alight but had the blaze out by 2.30pm.

They used breathing equipment and three hose reel jets and one main jet to tackle the fire - from various angles.

Incident Commander Assistant Divisional Officer Dave Barnard praised his crews.

He said: "Crews did an excellent job stopping this fire so quickly. When you are faced with a fire in a roof void like this they normally cause a huge amount damage but crews quickly found the seat of the fire and extinguished it.

Brentwood Live: Brentwood flat fire

Pic courtesy of Essex County Fire and Rescue

"Had it not been for the professionalism of crews this fire could easily have destroyed all four of the buildings so crews should commended for their actions."

Warley Hill reopened in both directions at around 4pm following the fire.

Brentwood Live: Fire in Warley Hill

The scene in Warley Hill earlier this afternoon [Pics courtesy of Essex Police and PCSO Mat Grimwood]