Baby rescued and woman fighting for her life after tower block fire

A baby has been rescued and an adult left fighting for her life after a fire engulfed a ninth floor flat.

Police and firefighters were called to Balmoral Road, Southend at 11.15pm on Saturday.

A 30-year-old woman is in hospital with life-threatening injuries, while the condition of the baby and another adult rescued from the flat is not yet known.

Seventeen people suffered smoke inhalation and the ninth floor was evacuated.

The blaze was put out within two hours.

Anyone with information should call police on 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.