A serious fire broke out in a building next to Southend’s historic Palace Theatre on London Road on Thursday afternoon (28 August), leaving two people injured and forcing evacuations of neighbouring properties.
Emergency services were called to the scene at around 3.30pm after smoke was spotted coming from the roof space of a flat beside the theatre, in Westcliff-on-Sea.
London Road was closed in both directions while multiple fire crews tackled the blaze from both the street and the theatre roof. Firefighters wearing breathing apparatus entered the affected building, which is partly occupied by a kebab shop, as hoses were directed at the flames from several angles.
Evacuations at the Palace Theatre
The Palace Theatre itself, along with nearby buildings, was evacuated while crews worked to contain the blaze.
Incident Commander Dean Riley, from Essex County Fire and Rescue Service, said:
“Firefighters quickly contained a fire in the roof space of a flat next to the Palace Theatre and made the area safe. A number of people were evacuated from the theatre and neighbouring properties while crews worked to extinguish the fire.
“Our aerial ladder platform was used to remove roof tiles and dampen down hotspots. We’re grateful for the co-operation of Palace Theatre staff and residents in neighbouring properties who were evacuated during the incident.”
Injuries confirmed
Essex Fire and Rescue Service later confirmed that two people suffered burns in the incident. One of them was taken to Southend Hospital for further treatment.
A spokesperson for the East of England Ambulance Service said:
“We were called just before 3.50pm to a building fire on London Road in Westcliff. Three ambulances, an ambulance officer vehicle, a rapid response vehicle and the Hazardous Area Response Team were sent to the scene. One patient who had sustained burns was transported to Southend Hospital for further treatment.”
Eyewitness account
The incident happened while the theatre had recently hosted a performance, with audience members leaving as the fire took hold.
Alice Aungier, who had just finished watching a show, said:
“I had finished watching a show at the Palace Theatre and came out to buy a souvenir when my mum said she could smell smoke… I looked up and said yeah because the building’s on fire!”
Cause under investigation
Fire crews confirmed the blaze started in the roof space of a flat neighbouring the theatre. The fire was brought under control later that afternoon, but an investigation is now underway to establish how it started.