Firefighters were called to tackle a blaze in which a house was destroyed by a faulty electricity metre.

Crews were called to a property in Loughton Way, Buckhurst Hill, at around 2.20am this morning (Monday September 4).

When firefighters arrived, they found the hallway and staircase were on fire and the property was full of smoke.

Fire crews wearing breathing apparatus entered the house and managed to get the blaze out within 30 minutes.

Fire crews then ventilated the house to clear the smoke.

Essex Fire and Rescue Service said the home was badly damaged in the blaze, caused by a faulty electricity metre, and is no longer habitable.

Crews from Loughton and Waltham Abbey attended the incident, as well as a London Fire Brigade unit from Woodford station.