A THOUSAND litre propane tank is believed to have been involved in a fire which took nearly four hours to put out.

Firefighters from Corringham, Grays, Orsett, Rayleigh Weir, Wennington and Basildon were called out to Buckles Lane, South Ockendon, shortly after 1pm to reports of a fire at a series of outbuildings.

One building measuring 50 metres by five metres collapsed in the flames which were not extinguished until 4.45pm.

An investigation has been launched by the Essex Fire Authority over the cause of the blaze.