A FLAT fire in Basildon this morning forced a man to have to leave his home.

The small blaze at the property in The Gore caused a large amount of smoke to be present in the property, meaning it had to be evacuated.

The fire service was called around 4.05am and had the flames out by 4.20am.

They then used a high pressure fan to clear the smoke from the premises.

Officer Keith Bunn said: β€œIt was mostly smoke damage but it has left the man unable to stay there so he was off to stay with friends or relatives.”