Arson investigation after derelict building destroyed in fire

A derelict building in Southend caught fire on Monday evening, with at least five firefighter crews sent to the incident.

The fire in the end-terrace derelict property, adjacent to Southchurch Avenue, was reported at 6.45pm. On arrival, firefighters reported that two properties in the row were affected by the fire.

Station Manager Dave Walpole said: “Our firefighters tackled the fire from both inside and outside, including using an aerial ladder platform to make sure there were no remaining hotspots on the roof.

“Thanks to the hard work and skill of our crews, the fire was under control quickly and did not spread any further.”

Firefighters had extinguished the fire by 8pm.

Officers carried out an investigation into the cause of the fire on Ambleside Drive and recorded it as being started deliberately.

A planning application to extend and redevelop the property into 5 flats was refused last year but a revised application to convert it into 4 flats was approved earlier this year.

Photos by Aaron Chesham and ECFRS.