THREE men have been left homeless after a fire swept through their home.

Firefighters from Maldon, Witham, South Woodham Ferrers, Great Baddow, and an aerial ladder platform from Chelmsford were called to a property in Colchester Road, Heybridge, at about 9am on Tuesday August 5.

The roof and first floor of the house were well alight when crews reached the scene.

Firefighters had to use three ladders and the aerial ladder platform to reach the flames which were fully extinguished by about 11.30am.

They also used two hose reel jets, two main jets and eight sets of breathing apparatus.

Martin Cable, station officer at Maldon said the fire is not being treated as suspicious but the cause is unknown.

He said: "An investigation is being carried out to establish the cause.

"About 50 per cent of the first floor was damaged by fire and the whole of the roof was destroyed.

"The adjoining house suffered slight water damage but the people there will not be rendered homeless.

"No one was hurt."

A spokesman for Maldon District Council confirmed Essex County Fire and Rescue Service contacted the council to assist the men with temporary accomodation.

He said: "We would offer them every assistance and advice should they come forward and contact us but as yet they haven't."

A crew from Colchester will remain at the site throughout the afternoon to damp down and Maldon firefighters are due to return at 5pm.