A man has died in a fire that broke out in a flat in Essex on Sunday night.

Fire crews were alerted after thick black smoke was seen coming from a building at Tithelands in Harlow.

"On arrival at the scene, crews reported the property was well alight and heavily smoke logged," an Essex Fire and Rescue Service spokesman said.

He confirmed one man had died and a joint police and fire service investigation into the cause of the fire will take place.

Firefighters wearing breathing apparatus made a search of the flat when it was reported people may have been inside.

Police and ambulances were called to the scene.

The officer in charge reported the fire was extinguished by 2310 BST and crews used a high pressure fan to clear the property of smoke.

Fire investigation and police scenes of crime officers remained at the scene in to the early hours of Monday.

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