A HOUSE has been completely destroyed after a blaze broke out in the early hours of this morning.

A family of three suffered minor smoke inhalation but managed to escape the property before the emergency services arrived.

A neighbour, who asked not to be named, said that the family whose home was destroyed by the fire, are Malcom and Linda Veale and their daughter Hayley.

She also said that she believes that the family has gone to stay at a nearby family member's home.

Five fire engines were tackling the flames at the height of the blaze, in Southgreen Gardens, off Lupin Way, Clacton.

It took crews from Clacton, Frinton, Weeley and Brightlingsea almost three hours to put out the fire, which started just after 1am in the detached, two-storey property.

The intensity of the blaze meant it was too dangerous for firefighters to enter the building.

A brigade spokesman said: "On arrival crews reported that the house was 100 per cent alight and that the fire had made it structurally dangerous, meaning that it had to be carefully extinguished externally.

"Firefighters extinguished the fire by 3.57am and remained on site for some time to cool hotspots.

"The house has been completely destroyed by the fire."

Investigators are today looking into the cause of the blaze.