FIREFIGHTERS had to force their way into a flat to tackle a kitchen blaze.

They were called to a ground floor flat in Shirley High Street to a blaze involving cooking just before 12.45pm today.

Sean Foster, watch manager at St Mary's said no-one was in the flat at the time.

Three crews from Redbridge and St Mary's attended and used four breathing apparatus, a hose and a fan to ventilate the property.

The kitchen suffered smoke damage.

No-one was injured.