A fire which tore through a derelict hospital in Shoebury has been recorded as deliberate.

The blaze, which began at around 4.30pm yesterday in Ness Road, caused damage to approximately 50% of the building's roof as well as the floors below.

A total of eight crews attended the blaze; two from Southend, one from Leigh, one from Hawkwell, one from Shoebury, one from Rochford, one water bowser from Corringham and an aerial ladder platform from Chelmsford.

Station manager Paul Chipperfield said: " Paul Chipperfield said:"Crews did a fantastic job of quickly gaining control of the fire and stopping it spreading.

"Firefighters will stay at the incident for some time to check for hot spots and ensure the scene is safe."

A spokesperson for Essex Police said: "We were called shortly before 4.40pm on Wednesday, August 22 with reports of a fire at Shoebury Rehabilitation Centre in Ness Road, Shoeburyness.
"Officers helped with road closures while firefighters dealt with the fire.
We remained on scene until 11.50pm and enquiries are ongoing.

"Anyone with information should call Southend Police Station on 101 or report online at www.essex.police.uk/do-it-online"