A woman and child have died in a house fire.
Emergency services were called to the property in South Street, Braintree, shortly before 10.45pm on Wednesday but the pair were trapped inside and died at the scene, Essex Police said.
Two women managed to escape from the building before emergency services arrived and were taken to hospital for treatment for smoke inhalation.
The police and fire service will carry out a joint investigation, and the road has been closed.
A police helicopter, officers, the fire service and ambulance service attended the incident.
Frankie Ricci, chairman of Braintree District Council, wrote on Twitter: "My thoughts and prayers are with the family and friends of those caught in the South Street house fire in Braintree. Tragic beyond words."