A BONFIRE damaged homes after spreading out of control.

Essex Fire Service attended the fire in Sutton Road, Southend yesterday at 5.26pm.

Two crews from Southend Fire Station attended and found the bonfire at the rear of a property had spread and was out of control.

The firefighters worked quickly and managed to have the fire extinguished by 6.07pm.

The external structure of two flats has been damaged after being affected by smoke.