THESE photographs show the destruction caused to the 130 year old Alexandra Yacht Club.

The first, taken just last week by Chris Jones, of Holly Tree Gardens, Rayleigh, show the classic wooden structure standing tall in the sunshine. Unlike most condemned buildings, it is far from a blot on the landscape, with its design based on an Indian pavilion.

The historical yacht club is the fifth oldest yacht in the country, and the ninth oldest in the world.

The next photograph, taken this morning, shows nothing but a chimney, after flames tore through the site for hours last night.

The building collapsed in the early hours of this morning after fire fighters battled to extinguish the blaze.

This morning the area was still smouldering and fire fighters were still at the scene damping down and searching for hot spots.

A cordon has been set up stopping pedestrians walking on part of a footpath behind the building.

PCSOs are on site to stop passersby getting too close to the area.

READ MORE: Investigation launched after yacht club destroyed in fire

VIDEO: Watch as fire tears through yacht club