A MAN has been arrested after a blaze broke out at Basildon's Eastgate shopping centre.

Five crews from Basildon, Orsett and Grays spent almost an hour extinguishing the flames after they were called at about 11.35pm yesterday.

Police were called to investigate the blaze and arrested a 26 year-old man, of no fixed address, on suspicion of arson a few hours later.

Gateway FM and neighbouring shops were damaged.