Tributes have been made after a Witham man died in a late-night fire on a quiet residential road.
The unnamed man has died after a well-developed fire affected both floors of a two-storey maisonette property, in Blackthorn Road, on March 28.
Fire crews from Colchester, Chelmsford, Great Baddow, and Maldon attended the emergency at 10.36pm after being called by a neighbour on the street.
An aerial ladder platform from Grays was also used to tackle the blaze.
Crews extinguished the fire shortly after 1am and remained on the scene until 8.20am on Friday morning.
Witham mayor Susan Ager sent the town council’s deepest sympathies to the deceased man’s family.
She said “We have all been shocked by this terrible tragedy.
“Our thoughts and prayers are with the deceased man’s family and friends, as well as the emergency services who had to deal with this distressing incident”
Tributes have also been paid on the Braintree and Witham Times comment section after we reported on the tragic incident.
Witham resident Samone Straiton said: “This is awful.
“The amount of fire engines, incident vans, ambulances and police that went past my house.
“The whole road was full up with emergency services.”
Katie Cropley said: “Very scary. I hope the man’s family is okay.”
At the time of the news breaking on Saturday, Witham West Ward councillor Ron Ramage also sent his condolences.
He said: “My thoughts are with the family and friends on this tragic news with the loss of a life caused from this house fire.
"Also, I would like to thank the fire brigade and the police for their assistance with regard to this incident."
Essex Police were called to the scene by Essex County Fire and Rescue Service at around 10.40pm last Thursday.
An Essex Police spokesman confirmed the man had died and said his family are being "supported during this difficult time".
Inquiries surrounding the circumstances of the fire are ongoing and the force is continuing to liaise with fire investigators.
The dead man has not yet been named.
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