A SOUTHEND restaurant sustained fire damage to its roof and store room after a suspected arson attack that started in a wheelie bin spread to the premises.

Two fire engines from Southend were called to deal with the incident at Tomassi's restaurant in the High Street at 4am this morning.

Sub officer Lee Burling, a Southend firefighter, said the fire was started deliberately in the bin at the back of the restaurant but managed to get into the building through the roof and damaging the store room.

Some smoke managed to get into the restaurant at the front, though this part of the premises was not significantly damaged.

Mr Burling said: "Because there were two machines, they were able to get inside and prevent the fire from causing too much damage."