A family's caravan has been completely destroyed by a fierce fire that also spread to a fence.

Firefighters were called shortly before 11am this morning (September 23) when neighbours on the Craylands housing estate in Basildon saw the blaze.

Three crews - from Basildon, Wickford and Rayleigh Weir - rushed to the scene and worked to extinguish the fire by 11.30am. 

Witnesses reported seeing thick black smoke billowing into the sky as the fire took hold of the caravan.

The holiday home has been completely destroyed and an investigation is under way to establish the cause of the fire.