Fire crews have tackled a large warehouse fire in Clacton-on-Sea.
Firefighters were called to the blaze, in Key Road, at around 11pm last night, Tuesday, March 27.
On arrival crews reported that the abandoned warehouse, which measured 60 metres by 15 metres, was well alight.
As smoke poured out of the building, nearby homes were briefly evacuated before residents were allowed return and urged to close their doors and windows.
Two fire crews from Clacton, one from Frinton, one from Weeley and an aerial ladder platform from Colchester were sent to the scene.
A spokesman for Essex County Fire and Rescue Service said: “The incident commander immediately sectorised the incident, to allow firefighters to surround the premises more effectively and prevent the fire spreading.
“An Aerial Ladder Platform was also requested to help spray water onto the building from height.
“Due to the speed the fire developed and volume of smoke, firefighters advised that neighbouring properties had also been affected.
“Residents of several surrounding roads were evacuated briefly as a precaution, before being allowed to return to their homes and advised to keep windows and doors shut.”
At 12.08pm the incident commander reported that the fire had been surrounded and progress was being made to extinguish the fire.
By 1.30pm the fire was out but crews remained on scene to check for hotspots. They returned at 6,30am to confirm the area was cool and to make sure there was no risk of reignition.
The roof of the building was completely destroyed in the blaze.
It is believed the fire was caused deliberately.
Station Manager Lee Palfreyman, who led the incident, said: “Firefighters did a fantastic job here this evening in very difficult circumstances. The close proximity of homes on all four sides of the warehouse, as well as the fact that the site itself is surrounded by overgrown foliage and discarded waste, made it very difficult to access initially.
“Crews showed huge professionalism in the speed they reacted to ensure that the fire was contained as quickly as possible - and in doing so prevented those nearby houses from potentially being badly damaged.
“Our Control team also received more than 60 calls about the incident and acted very efficiently in co-ordinating our response.
“I’d also like to thank those residents who were very briefly asked to leave their homes for their co-operation.”
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