Firefighters were called to reports of a fire in an agricultural building last night.

On arrival at the scene in Great Prestons Lane, Billericay, crews reported that around 15 per cent of the building, which measures 10 metres by 20 metres, was alight.

Firefighters from Chelmsford and Billericay worked hard to contain the fire and were able to extinguish it completely by 11.22pm.

Crews then remained at the scene to dampen down hotspots within the timberframe structure.

The building, which is used as a food smoking room, has been badly damaged.

The fire was caused by a fault in an electrical appliance and has been recorded as accidental.